Mr Keighley-Elstub | Head of School at Devonshire House School
What is the importance of a handshake?
The debate between a traditional versus a modern education is long-standing, with proponents of each side arguing that their approach is the best way to educate students. Reflecting on his first two years as headteacher of Devonshire House Preparatory School, Henry Keighley-Elstub argues that there’s a place for a blended approach.
Every school day, Henry can be found at the school gates greeting each student with a personal welcome and handshake. He says that shaking hands with students represents more than saying “hello”, by making eye contact he wants to convey that they are valued and ‘seen’. For him a sincere handshake teaches interpersonal skills and is symbolic of traditional values.
“Academic and technical skills are unquestionably important, but character development is equally vital. Traditional values play a significant role in shaping students’ characters.
“When students are taught virtues like resilience, humility, and gratitude, they become well-rounded individuals capable of facing life’s challenges with grace and integrity,” argues Henry.
Henry believes that a modern progressive education teaches children confidence, whilst a traditional education teaches them humility and a blended approach teaches them both.
“In a world that often emphasises competition and individual achievement, teaching humility in schools is a crucial and often overlooked aspect of education. It’s a skill that can have a profound impact on a student’s personal growth, relationships, and overall success in life,” Henry adds.
So, while Henry is a keen supporter of innovation in teaching practices and prioritises individualised learning, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability that a modern education brings, Devonshire House students are grounded by traditional values and deep empathy for their peers and the wider community around them.
