26 November 2021

The undoubted highlight of this week has been the wonderful Senior School production of ‘The Boy Friend’. Across two nights, the audience was transported to the French Riviera in the era of the glitz and glamour of the 1920s. In a truly uplifting performance, the show provided an unforgettable opportunity to showcase the talents of our Senior pupils. There was true brilliance on display; amazing comic timing, a fabulously creative set, wonderful singing and dancing, all accompanied by the cheerful tunes from our in-house Cranford band. The pupils made dancing the Charleston look so easy and it is fair to say that the show lifted the spirits of all who attended. Please click here for some photos of the performance. A very well done to everyone involved!

One Wednesday morning, our Year 9 pupils began to consider their GCSE options at the Year 9 Options Fair. Hosted by our Senior teaching team, the pupils enjoyed understanding what each GCSE course involved and also considered course combinations and began thinking about future careers, as this also informs their choice. Against an energetic buzz of interest and activity, Year 9 asked some incredibly insightful questions of our subject specialists. We look forward with interest to watching what the pupils select....I hear History is quite good!

There has been huge anticipation amongst our Year 13 students, as they have been receiving university offers and the dream of life post A levels is becoming more of a reality. This is always an incredibly exciting time in the school calendar, and the culmination of lots of research, university visits and hard work in completing personal statements. I know that all the Senior teaching team are looking forward to watching the journey of each of our Sixth Form students unfold over the next nine months.

Continuing our programme of Sixth Form speakers, we had an ex-pupil visit yesterday to talk about life training to be a paramedic. It was certainly eye opening as she explained about the adrenalin-pumping training and need to be ready for anything, and also enthused our students seeking a career in the medical field.

Meanwhile, it is always a pleasure walking through the corridors of the music department and hearing a snippet of a music lesson or singing lesson, and even more so at this time of the year, as we proceed towards the Christmas performances that are taking place in the last week of term. I know that all our parents are very much looking forward to the Carol Services and Christmas shows, particularly after their absence last year, and to say you are in for a treat is an understatement!

With best wishes

James Raymond

Headmaster