Author Archives: jameswilding

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About jameswilding

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

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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Founders’ Day and the dynamism of a Family school

Posted on 26/09/2025 by jameswilding

Thursday 18 September saw the 2025 scholars and their families presented with their awards, for academic excellence, for the Arts and Sports and for those who are excellent in the round. Those present included new entry and long-serving families to … Continue reading →

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Diplomacy – Whether to Grin & Bear it?

Posted on 19/09/2025 by jameswilding

Current events around the world, and with specific reference to this week’s visit of the President of the United States as well as peace talks around the Gaza crisis and the war in Ukraine, reminds us all that progress around … Continue reading →

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Making Sense of the World of Marginal Gains…

Posted on 12/09/2025 by jameswilding

Most of the readers of my blog will be very well aware that things get better step by step. My first car bought whilst I was at Leicester University, in the summer of 1972 was a Ford Popular 100E (1960 … Continue reading →

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