30 November 2018

The week started in busy style with an exciting afternoon of A-level taster lessons as part of our Year 10 ‘s transition to Year 12.

They were given the chance to try new subjects like Sociology, Psychology and Media Studies and get a deeper understanding of how more familiar subjects like Mathematics, Biology, History or Geography develop at A-level. In addition, Year 10 were offered their first glimpse of Sixth Form life as the Orangery was transformed into a common room and they travelled into Wallingford to enjoy lunch.

I had a particularly enjoyable evening last night talking to Year 9 parents and pupils about the array of opportunities and pathways open to them at GCSE and A-level at their Parents’ Evening. We are in the final phase of preparations for the construction of our new Sixth Form Centre and we expect to see building work starting early in the New Year. If you'd like to learn more about life at Cranford House Sixth Form, please take a look at our prospectus.

I’m pleased to inform parents of our younger pupils that we have recently invested in the Oxford Reading Scheme throughout Junior School. Based on the Synthetic Phonics method, the scheme is designed to give children the skills they need to both succeed in their reading and to take pleasure in it. I hope you enjoy exploring the scheme with your child.

Finally, as the term nears its close, I continue to enjoy my lively weekly Football Club with Reception and Key Stage 1! My congratulations to all the Senior pupils who took part in this week's hotly contested Inter-House Swimming Gala. This month sees us transitioning from Hockey to Netball, Football and Rugby in lesson time and we are very much looking forward to an afternoon of sporting fun as we welcome pupils from local primary schools to this afternoon’s Year 5 Football Festival.

With best wishes

Dr James Raymond