Whether the inventor of 20th-century physics actually said the above is of course neither here nor there. What’s true to understand is that ‘if we are what we repeatedly do’, then it’s best we as humans don’t keep doing that thing otherwise World War 3 is just around the corner. Oops, I didn’t write that. Einstein’s contribution to modern Physics is quite extraordinary, in so far as he invented it, single-handedly, either on a chalkboard as shown, or using only pen and pencil. Einstein was a true genius, and there are few men and women we can actually say that about. We commemorate his contribution to the world via the award of the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921. However, Albert himself appreciated the genius of Marie Curie for winning 2 Nobel Prizes, Physics in 1903 and Chemistry in 1911 – the answers for our problems he argued as follows: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”.

Once again, it’s time for all that lead Claires Court in its various enterprises to take stock of what we have been able to achieve over the last 12 months, both by asking our parents and guardians how they feel we have done formally through the annual questionnaire and through the regular meetings of our parent/teacher committees and through their AGM take stock there as well. The whole purpose of our questioning approach to our work is to ensure we take the best as victories, learn from the failures too as best we can, and work with our staff, parents and pupils to adapt and change our plans to adapt and flex for the future that lies ahead. In short, I am pleased to report that the outcomes are really very positive

Interested parties can read the summary of our Parental Feedback here – link. Both the Principals and Heads have held follow-up meetings with those giving constructive feedback, and we appreciate that those sessions are held with our duty of candour on display. Schools cannot get everything right for all parties all the time, and as the Academic Principal, I can honestly say that what catches us out most often are ‘events dear boy, events’, as Prime Minister Harold MacMillan made so clear over 60 years ago. The same is true for most leaders and organisations. Events Happen. When they do a lot of things are at stake: lives, livelihoods, reputation. Last year, we had due cause to celebrate the very positive outcomes achieved from the visit by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, whilst at the time we were having to manage the closure of Cookham Bridge and the chaos that brought to arrivals and departures across the schools.

This year’s questionnaire captured parental views during the midst of the storm caused by the implementation of 20% VAT on school fees, whilst capturing a range of views on everything from facilities for Food & Nutrition, Design & Technology and Computer Science to Car Parking, Friendships and Gender matters. Given the age spread of the school, stretching from 2 to 19 for pupils and from 18 to 80+ for staff, parents & guardians, it’s a pretty complex Venn diagram of comments that we get to study, review and provide solutions for. As Academic Principal, I am currently working really hard (informed as best I can through my position as a Google Certified Innovator) to see how we can plan for the education of future generations through Claires Court by making the best use of AI, implementing technology changes both sensibly and rapidly, and yet providing for our children to be able to ‘go off grid’ and have a smart-phone free childhood.

In my leadership career, I have learned how to navigate through changes that include

• removing corporal punishment as a sanction, let alone as a tool to improve learning;
• forbidding the use of tobacco, whilst still endemic in the adult population;
• changing young people’s attitudes to alcohol, weapons and fireworks, all considered suitable souvenirs to be brought back from school trips in Europe.

All 3 were of course issues of the last century, long since departed from any school development plan this side of the millennium! Of course I jest, yet it is noticeable that times are changing without what is now popularly referred to as ‘Impact Assessments’. When every motor car now seems to occupy a footprint 30% or more bigger than its predecessor, brought upon us by the need for yet more airbags, passenger protection and EV propulsion units. The last building I personally oversaw (before legislation changed) was 20 years ago, that being the construction of the Juniors’ Sports Hall, car parking and access road at Ridgeway which required just 3 professional documents from the school, the 4th being a summary of the correspondence with regards to the planning application and the approval certificate itself. The recent construction of the MUGA has to date required over 50 professional reports, taken 3 times as long and I haven’t yet completed achieving appropriate permission for the planting of 34 suitable trees as part of the Eco-diversity net gain plans. We know the lunatics have taken over the asylum when no consideration at all can be given to the planting of over 5000 trees we caused 3 years ago as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee!

It takes such a long time now to acquire planning permissions, and at such a cost, that we have to embark upon the process as being part of a wish list, not actually something we can afford to do as a school with so many additional financial burdens being placed on both school and parents by budgetary changes by the government without due consideration as to the consequences. It is here where the growth and activity of the PTA, its charitable foundation and the work of its trustees and local chairs have been of immense benefit over many years, particularly now as they publish their accounts which show over the past 2 years adding well over £300,000 into the school’s economic activities. At their AGM on Friday 7 March, their current President and Chair of Trustees, Phyllis Avery MBE, made it abundantly clear just how dynamic and vibrant the association’s work continues to be. You can read her full report here and view Treasurer Simon Ball’s financial report to the AGM here.

Steve Rider managed the formal opening for the new Astroturf for Juniors really well, commentating on the various activities by young and old with all the aplomb of a seasoned sports journalist. As he made clear during the hour or so of activities, the new facility will do so much more for the range of other users we are now encouraging to be part of what we do across the schools. Over the next few months, without reducing opportunities for our own, we expect more than a thousand local children, young people and adults from the wider Maidenhead area will be visiting and paying their way to ensure the facilities in the longer term are able to be renewed and refreshed. One of the specific requirements for Sport England’s approval of our sporting developments is that our community partners are asked to contribute sufficiently in this way, which is very helpful in many ways. It certainly makes it clear that RBWM expects its community to be active and assist itself in staying healthy and well, and that schools such as Claires Court should not carry that burden alone.

Where we can do better next year, we sincerely hope we will. We can’t put everything right overnight, yet I will do my best still to ensure where we can we will. The wider political climate still is dire for education, health, care, welfare, business, the wider economy and world peace even, but as best we can at Claires Court, we will continue to celebrate that children can enjoy their childhood within our nurturing environment and at every level. Just today I have seen postings on the Year 2 footballers over in Henley at Rupert House, whilst actors and musicians alike are getting ready for Bugsy Malone and the Senior Music concerts next week. The Spring Term is coming to a fitting conclusion it seems with the sun shining and the warmth that comes with it cheering us on. Long may that continue, though Albert Einstein had something to say about that as well: