‘Building the future for our children and young people’ – Your place is here

Our development as a school over the last three years may seem to have been slowed by the interruption caused by Covid-19 and the refusal by the National Planning Inspectorate of our plans to develop a one campus solution. Yet, we’ve managed to relocate all of our juniors onto our Ridgeway site, bringing boys and girls together for the first time in our history. Our academic staff at all levels have achieved so much including the diversification and expansion of classroom and co-curricular activity and the winning of regional, national and international championships. I show below images in our Flikr album of some of our remarkable ‘new’ developments we have achieved, worthy of celebration in their own right.

They include ‘Forest School’, Combined Cadet Force (CCF), Sailing, Kayaking & Canoeing (all part of our Outdoor Ed offer), Expansion of teaching facilities for Senior Girls and for Sixth Form and our New Classrooms at Juniors.https://www.flickr.com/photos/199286161@N08/albums/72177720312054765

Perhaps the most remarkable achievement for our community is the way in which we have been able to welcome and absorb into our community across the school the now 13 Ukrainian children sheltering with their mothers from the spectre of War back home. Peace there seems inconceivable currently, as it does in Israel where war has broken out once more, following the terrorist violence in Israel.

This half-term sees a wide range of small but important infrastructure improvements on all three sites that ought to improve our ‘lived’ experience and demonstrate that our ongoing ‘evolution’ as a school will continue apace. These include the laying of reinforcement for our overflow parking at Claires Court Juniors and the installation of new temporary accommodation to expand the Speed, Agility & Quickness facilities for Senior Girls & Sixth Form.

In the longer term, I am delighted to confirm that our planning Application for new Music and Food Technology facilities at Senior Boys has now been received by RBWM Planning and we await the consultation process with interest. For the record our application reference is Ref No: 23/02394/FULL 

Whilst it is always sad to see valued teachers and support staff move on, the arrival of new colleagues and leaders certainly provides new angles, interests and enthusiasms. We are certainly benefiting from that throughout the school this autumn, perhaps doubly enhanced by the lovely weather we have enjoyed until recently. Our PTA Fireworks last Saturday evening certainly benefited (in the main) and provided an excellent celebration of our school and its community in action. Though I mentioned good weather, if your car ended up ‘stuck’ in the field, do please accept my apologies – that sharp 30 minutes of heavy rain circa 5.30pm prove a challenge too far!  This video from the #CCCSc Drone squad gives a short glimpse of us all from above! 

The photo (from the Computer Science Drone Team) shows the event in full flow, clearly ‘lightsabers’ sold well! On this link you can see a little of the movie footage 

I do hope that I can post an even more positive postscript after half-term, highlighting the remarkable Senior School Choir tour taking place in Belgium, and as part of their tour performing under the Menin Gate in Ypres at the 8pm Remembrance ceremony. At this time of appalling events in Ukraine, Gaza and Israel, there is no better sign of hope that our young people can participate in is that profoundly moving ceremony in which we make clear that “We will remember them”.

With all good wishes for the half term ahead,

James Wilding

Academic Principal and Head of Senior Boys