As we enter the Spring half-term, everyone who works in education feels that the darkest days of winter are behind us and that the toughest new work of the year has been covered. 

The rounds of parent-teacher evenings and consultations have largely been completed, and lots of fruitful discussions have emerged. The added benefit of conducting the parental attitudes questionnaire to run alongside these means we have as good an objective take on the school’s progress being made over the first six months. 

What’s exciting about the moment is that for all elements of the school, we have anticipation being rewarded and yet much more perspiration to exert to pull off the major victories. 70% of the Sixth Form University offers are in, and many students aim at academic programmes that contain a vocational element, equipping themselves for the world of work they see beyond a degree.  For those that like to measure form, here’s a sample of what’s being aimed for through UCAS, and what the grades needed are:

Durham University A*AA – Chemistry, History

Exeter University – AAA – Geography

University of Leeds – AAA – Architecture

University of Nottingham – AAA – Industrial Economics

University of Manchester – AAA – International Management

Cardiff University – AAA – Law

University of Bath – AAB – Chemistry

University of Liverpool – AAB – Physiotherapy

Royal Holloway – AAB – Psychology

University of Edinburgh – BBB – Earth Science and Physical Geography

What underpins the quality of those offers is the strength of GCSEs already obtained.  As we’ve been working Year 9 through their option choices,prior to starting their GCSE programme in June, they must target the subjects they enjoy and in which they are prepared to work hard. The latest curriculum review being promoted through parliament echoes the points made by the Chief Inspector of Schools, Sir Michael Wilshaw 10 years ago, encouraging the need for breadth and diversity in education at this stage.

Throughout our options the artistic, creative and applied programmes exist too, and for those courses prior to University offers a Foundation year is needed, to develop far more deeply the physical skills needed for craft-based options. For those really interested in technical areas such as engineering/computer science and financial services, apprenticeships prove to be very attractive alternatives for both students and employers, the former avoiding tuition fee debt, the latter recruiting young talent to be developed as the specific industry requires. It’s important to note that Claires Court is renowned for the quality of how we manage our provision, most recently being notified that we are now in Top 200 Sports Schools, a table created by School Sports Magazine.

The photo in the Header is taken 59 years ago, the Claires Court Pantomime that year  (1966) being Sleeping Beauty, the cast aligned on the Town Hall stage in Maidenhead. I play the part of Harry the Huntsman, the handsome hero, and appear in the brown wig, just above the longbow. My mother, Josephine, was the stage manager and costumier, and she had a real thing about wigs! My father, David was the scriptwriter and director, and the scripts those days often had double meanings, lost on the actors but enjoyed hugely by the parents in the audience for the night. I remember all the shows I was in, the rehearsals, the missed lines and the generosity of the audiences, great times it must be said and a reminder of how important the arts are to a school. 

Already firmly fixed in my diary is to attend the Year 5/6 musical production of ‘Bugsy Malone’, which as with all Junior productions directed by Mrs Emma Stevenson will be an absolute epic. Set in the Speakeasies of the Twenties during prohibition in the United States, it’s a school favourite, casting children playing adult roles in a whimsical, exaggerated version of the gangster world. It works on every level, highlighting the values of friendship, creativity and determination, and yet Bugsy Malone also gives us the chance to talk about the real-life consequences of behaviour like breaking the law!

Like the stage shows of the 60s and the 20s, here at school, we have so much enterprise and entertainment underway. The last elements of the Astro are being laid next week, officially opening on 7 March, alongside our PTA AGM. Thanks to parents’ generosity, we have new stage curtains being erected in the Junior Sports Hall, so they’ll be on show for the Bugsy run later in March. At College, as the photo below shows clearly, the foundations of the new Sixth Form Pavilion are being laid. Across the school, both the ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ sports are nearing league finals, heads and team championships, and we look in really good shape.

Junior Sports https://x.com/CCJuniorSports

Senior Boys Sport https://www.instagram.com/clairescourtsport/

Senior Girls Sport https://www.instagram.com/ccgirlsschoolsport/

Rowing https://www.instagram.com/clairescourtschoolboatclub/

Outdoor Education (including sailing) https://www.instagram.com/ccoutdoored/

Have a great half-term and see you on the other side!