30 June 2017

We are very clear here at Cranford House that school is about much more than simply passing tests and examinations.

However, we do monitor pupils continuously to ensure we are providing exactly the right support for each individual and our latest round of Junior School assessments have given us real cause for celebration. These nationally standardised tests showed every single Junior year group making exceptional academic progress compared to national attainment averages. For example, our KS1 pupils’ results showed 66% of our boys and girls scored in the top 11% nationally for Mathematics, with almost half in the top 4% for both English and Mathematics. Similarly impressive are our end of KS2 outcomes which show over half of our pupils scoring above or significantly above the national average in English and Mathematics, against just under a quarter of pupils nationally.

As a non-selective school, these figures are particularly pleasing and provide the strongest foundation for future learning. This strength in our Junior pupil’s academic performance when compared to the rest of the nation gives us real cause for pride in the job we are doing here at school and highlights what a truly excellent offering a Cranford House education is.

Of course, it is the host of added extras we offer, not just the academic focus, that really make pupils’ experiences special. This was never more in evidence than during Monday’s Vertical Teaching Day, based on the theme of Flipped Fairy Tales. Bringing the whole school together in a sea of red, green, blue and yellow t-shirts, it provides a wonderful opportunity for pupils to get to know each other, regardless of Key Stage or year group. As ever, our Senior girls did an absolutely wonderful job of looking after their littler counterparts – my thanks to all of them for the kindness and care they displayed in abundance. Thanks also to our wonderful staff who not only gave their time to plan the event during an extremely busy part of term, but also donned some sensational costumes and wigs to sing, dance and entertain our boys and girls. As ever, their willingness to go the extra mile for our pupils is the engine behind so much of our success.

This morning, we welcomed Reception parents for a class assembly which proved a fabulous celebration of the children’s first year in main school. The boys and girls performed brilliantly and I particularly enjoyed the first-ever class dance in a Junior assembly!

Finally, my thoughts turn to this afternoon’s Senior Sports Day, which always a fantastic celebration of athletic endeavor. I hope to see many of you there and look forward to joining you in cheering on our competitors in a host of track and field events.

With best wishes

Dr J Raymond