Author Archives: jameswilding

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About jameswilding

Academic Principal Claires Court Schools Long term member & advocate of the Independent Schools Association

 Beyond the Breaking Point: Concluding 2025 and Challenges Ahead in 2026.

Posted on 18/12/2025 by jameswilding

Another year closes, and the festive flurry attempts to cloak the underlying tension and exhaustion that have permeated the English education system. As the clock ticks down to 2025, many of us in schools, whether we are Principals, teachers, or … Continue reading →

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Lethal Mutations – When the direction of Government Policy is fundamentally flawed

Posted on 12/12/2025 by jameswilding

“Lethal Mutations” – When the direction of Government Policy is fundamentally flawed or damaging from its conception, and which ultimately leads to severe harm or the eventual collapse of the system or society it was intended to govern. I do … Continue reading →

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Surviving Christmas with “All I want for Christmas is you” – Mariah Carey

Posted on 04/12/2025 by jameswilding

For enthusiasts of Trivia and Pub Quizzes, please check the last section of this Blog on the song. We’ve just a couple of weeks left to the end of term, and all 3 schools are all set for the season, … Continue reading →

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BBC Grierson Award 2025, Baftas, Emmys and Oscars – the Parenting effect.

Posted on 27/11/2025 by jameswilding

One of the many benefits I continue to enjoy is seeing the success that former pupils (and staff) make of their lives post Claires Court. While I can recall memories from the school I lead all the way back to … Continue reading →

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“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

Posted on 21/11/2025 by jameswilding

The publication of the Claires Court Inspection Report September 2025 last week provided many statements about the school’s work with the children and young people receiving their education with us. The inspection regime for our sector is conducted by the … Continue reading →

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#MakingHistoryEveryDay

Posted on 13/11/2025 by jameswilding

When the school was emerging from #lockdown, it was very evident that everyone’s ‘engines’ needed a metaphorical service, to check that all the moving parts were suitably free-running, that the ‘satnav’ switched on and the future direction of travel calibrated. … Continue reading →

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‘The proof that Life imitates Art – Government policy meets Celebrity Traitors!’

Posted on 06/11/2025 by jameswilding

The 2025 Celebrity Traitors programme has attracted circa 13 million viewers per episode, and I have no doubt that by the numbers are all added up, the programme will end up challenging the final of the Women’s Euro 2025 for … Continue reading →

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‘Diamonds in the Sky’ – hopes and values in 2025/26

Posted on 17/10/2025 by jameswilding

This half-term, we publish the Court Report, our annual statement, which covers the various successes of last year, and includes my commentary on the times ahead. You can see the website copy here, a really colourful celebration of Claires Court … Continue reading →

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“Comfortable Fictions – why it’s easier to make some stuff up rather than go by the evidence!”

Posted on 09/10/2025 by jameswilding

This week’s blog explains why it’s easier to make some stuff up rather than go by the evidence!,” discusses the prevalence of educational myths, contrasts them with evidence-based approaches, and features the career insights of World champion & Olympic bronze … Continue reading →

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“Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” – World Health Day 2025

Posted on 01/10/2025 by jameswilding

World Mental Health Day, observed on 10 October each year, is a global initiative that highlights the importance of mental health to overall well-being. It serves as a timely reminder of the critical role families and educators play in supporting … Continue reading →

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