17January 2025
Dear Parents
The second week of the Spring term has raced by at remarkable speed. I am sure everyone across the school will join me in congratulating Year 11 and Year 13 on reaching the end of their mock examination period. We have been incredibly impressed by their collective maturity and sense of purpose in hurdling this important milestone on the journey towards their GCSE and A-level examinations later this year. The mocks provide an important opportunity for our students to hone their revision skills, experience the feeling of a 'real' examination hall and the complexity of multiple exams in one week. I have no doubt that the class of 2025 is ready to face the year ahead and will achieve their fullest potential this summer.
Elsewhere in school we were welcomed back on Monday morning by a burst water pipe and flood in Year 1 and Year 3. Our pupils took this sudden move to new temporary homes in their stride and embraced the new week with their usual sense of fun! Special mention should go to maintenance team who have tackled the challenge of getting three classrooms back in working order and a determination to get the children back to their classrooms as quickly as possible. The final classroom, Year 1, promises to re-open on Tuesday, resplendent with a new ceiling and extensive redecoration. Thank you Mr Brown, Mr Patrick and team!
Aliens landing at Cranford!
Rising waters weren't the only challenge facing Key Stage 1 this week - they also discovered an alien spacecraft landing site inside the school grounds. The children were thrilled to find what appeared to be a crashed spacecraft behind the Junior Hall. This unexpected event sparked a week of engaging and imaginative work across English and Topic lessons. The children began by brainstorming questions they were eager to answer, then interviewed staff members who reported seeing something flying through the sky and strange flashing lights. They sent maps of the school to local scientists that they marked with key areas and the crash site. At the site, the children collected samples of mysterious materials, which they examined back in the classroom, identifying and noting their properties. In computing lessons, they unleashed their creativity by designing aliens, while in DT lessons, they planned and began constructing their very own spacecraft designs.
Year 9 Parents’ Evening
Elsewhere in school, we enjoyed welcoming Year 9 families for Parents’ Evening earlier in the week. This is always one of the most exciting and enjoyable stages of school life as pupils start to make choices about their GCSE options and future steps! It was fun chatting to pupils and families, and I look forward to watching this decision-making process unfold over the course of the next half-term.
Duke of Edinburgh
On Thursday, an intrepid group of over 70 Year 9 and 10 students participated in their Duke of Edinburgh practice walk and training day. Duke of Edinburgh is a wonderful opportunity for pupils to challenge themselves, learn new skills, build friendships and self-confidence. I look forward to updating you as the 2025 cohort take on this annual right of passage at Cranford. I never cease to be amazed by the sheer volume of students who take on this challenge every year - it really speaks volumes about the character of our pupils and their willingness to take on a challenge!
Year 4 Assembly
Finally, on Thursday morning the first Junior assembly of the Year was led by Year 4, who reminded us that the strength of our community can be found in our differences. They challenged their peers to embrace difference and to meet the world with kindness, humility and generosity of spirit. It was the perfect message to start the calendar year in school, thank you Year 4.
Please look at this week in pictures.
Have a wonderful weekend!
With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Head