20 June 2025

Dear Parents

As the glorious summer weather continues, we have enjoyed an incredible few days across the school from exceptional drama performances, to sporting endeavour, academic reflection and school trips; this week has had so much to offer!

Bravo Beauty and the Beast!
We started the week at the Cornerstone Theatre in Didcot, where Year 7 and 8 treated us to two simply exceptional performances of Beauty and the Beast. The cast and crew worked seamlessly together to produce a professional performance. With rich dramatic interpretation, comedy timing and wonderful musicality, they took us on an incredible adventure. I was incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication and talent on display from our pupils. There is something truly special about working together as a group of friends to create a school production and there was a real sense of fun throughout this performance. I am sure you will all join me in congratulating the cast and crew on their hard work and wonderful production and enjoy seeing the pictures from the show here!

Elsewhere in school preparations have continued for our forthcoming Year 5 and 6 production (Pirates of the Curry Bean) and the Whole School summer Music Gala at the Hexagon Theatre in Reading. Final tickets are still available for the Hexagon - please click here if you would like to join us! We also have the last handful of places available for next summer's Choir Tour to Ghent, this is always such a highlight of the school trips programme - please contact the school office if you would like to secure a place on this trip for your son or daughter.

Sun and Sport
Across Wednesday and Thursday, the PE department led the school in two truly spectacular days of sporting endeavour! St Nicholas secured a well-deserved victory in Junior School, whilst St George secured the win in Senior School! I was impressed, as ever, by the athleticism of our pupils as they competed across a host of track and field events. However, I think the aspect that struck me most strongly was the sense of fun and enjoyment amongst all competitors, the strong encouragement offered to friends both within and across Houses and the sense of camaraderie and belonging on display as pupils supported and cheered each other across events! I was also particularly pleased to see the Sixth Form win the staff student relay and tug of war events in style!

Please do take a moment to view the photos from Sports Days:

Pre-School to Year 2
Years 3 - 6
Senior School

End of Exams

As I write the newsletter our final A-level examination has been completed, bringing to a close a hugely busy summer for public exams for Year 11 and Year 13. We have been incredibly impressed by the hard work, dedication and strong friendships on display across these year groups as they have tackled a busy summer of exams! They've certainly earned a well-deserved summer break and we will look forward to celebrating their success this summer in August! Well done Y11 and Year 13!!

Finally, it is at this time of year that we bid a fond farewell to departing colleagues. This year we are wishing Mr Walker and Mrs Henderson all the very best for their retirement and good luck to Mrs Diamond, Mr Alcazar and Mr Biggs as they move on to exciting new opportunities at the end of the school year. They will all be greatly missed by everyone at Cranford.

I hope you are looking forward to a restful weekend and can enjoy the lovely weather!

With best wishes

James Raymond

Head