Author Archives: jameswilding

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About jameswilding

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

‘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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Claires Court: Resilience, Vision, and Futures 2025

Posted on 28/08/2025 by jameswilding

As we reflect on the past year and look towards the promising horizon of “Claires Court Futures 2025,” it is with immense pride and profound gratitude that we present this annual report. Claires Court’s journey has always been one of … Continue reading →

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“Be Curious, Not Judgemental” – Walt Whitman

Posted on 11/07/2025 by jameswilding

At the close of this Academic Year 2024-25, I’ve sought to summarise the lessons I’ve learned over the last 12 months, In Blog 1 advised “Speak truth, build and give trust”, Blog 2 “Show up on time, know the text … Continue reading →

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“Show up on time, know the text and have an idea.“ – Tom Hanks

Posted on 04/07/2025 by jameswilding

In this second of my 3 blogs written to summarise my world of work over the last year, I am building on the core words of advice I set out last week for politicians to consider: “Speak truth, build and … Continue reading →

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“Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.” William Shakespeare – Measure for Measure.

Posted on 26/06/2025 by jameswilding

26 June 2025 As we reach the conclusion of this academic year, I’m writing 3 blogs to summarise all the joys, fears, pains and hopes that have populated  my world of work as Academic Principal. This first is largely a … Continue reading →

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