18 October 2024

Dear Parents

What a half-term it has been! It has been brilliant watching all our pupils, new and old, settle into the rhythm of a new academic year and we have been delighted with their progress. The strength of community spirit is palpable, and was emphasised in our Senior assembly this morning, which was led expertly by Year 11. On the theme of ‘confidence’, Year 11 talked about how this is defined at Cranford by being with friends and how friendship and happiness sits at the heart of everything Cranford is about. This theory resonates strongly with our pupils, our staff and our wider school community, and is one of the reasons we continue to be oversubscribed at Year 7 and Year 12. We are proud that happiness is an endorsement held and lived by our pupils, a reason that you have selected Cranford for your child or children, and a reason that so many visiting families are keen to secure a place for their children in the future. It is lovely to be part of a community that places such value on this.

Great Inventions and Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock – Saturday 9 November
I had a wonderful time meeting Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock earlier this week, laying plans for our eighth Junior Discovery Day which is taking place on Saturday 9 November. Dame Maggie is a truly inspirational space engineer and presenter of the BBCs ‘Sky at Night’ and we are delighted that she is joining us on Junior Discovery Day to inspire future generations in all things STEM and Science. After half-term, Junior pupils will be thrust into a week of brilliant teaching and learning that feed into this year’s theme of ‘Great Inventions’, not to mention some fabulous trips and visits. We warmly invite all Junior pupils and their families to join us from 9am on Saturday 9 November to get involved in another expertly orchestrated morning of activities and to join in the excitement of meeting Dame Maggie. We can’t wait to see you there!

Thank you to the PTA
Thank you to all the parents who joined us on Thursday evening for our PTA meeting and a huge thank you in particular to the wonderful team leading the PTA. They are continuing to work hard to raise funds for the school, and some significant recent purchases include our own marquee, and a giant chess set that is now a permanent feature of Willow Court for all our pupils to enjoy. It is never too early to mention Christmas, so please do save the date of the PTA Christmas Fair, taking place on Saturday 30 November. This is a brilliant Christmas shopping opportunity and will certainly set off the festive season in style!

We concluded an exceptional half-term today with an afternoon of competitive inter-house hockey for Years 3 to 6! Blessed with glorious sunshine, there were high spirits on the pitch and some excellent game play by all.

Have a wonderful half-term and we look forward to seeing you on the 4 November!

With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Head