22 March 2024

22 March 2024

Dear Parents

I can’t believe we are at the end of term already and equally can’t believe quite how much we have done over the course of this week.

Duke of Edinburgh Training
At the weekend over 100 Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh participants completed their practice weekend ahead of their assessed expedition in May. The students performed impressively despite some cold and very muddy conditions. Excellent Cranford generosity of spirit was on display throughout with teams working brilliantly together. Despite a few wrong turns, students arrived happy and smiling at the end point on Sunday. The sun shone for much of the expedition and the countryside around the Newbury area was stunning, with a lunch stop at the Greenham Common providing an opportunity to learn about local history. Huge congratulations to all who took part and showed great resilience and fortitude throughout.

Junior Parents’ Evening
The Sixth Form Centre was a buzz of lively chat and activity on Tuesday evening for Junior Parents’ Evening. It is always a pleasure being able to feedback to parents the progress of your children, whether it is small steps that amount to a significant change in understanding, or a sudden grasp of a topic. I know I speak on behalf of all the Junior Teaching Team when I say how much they enjoy being able to discuss your child’s individual learning journey with you. We hope you found the evening useful too!

Careers Talks
On Monday, 12 speakers from a range of industries from Marketing and Branding, Wellbeing and Veterinary Medicine, shared their expertise with Year 10 in a series of careers talks. Students attended 4 talks each across a range of different fields, providing a breadth of experience and an opportunity to learn more about fields that they might not have previously considered. The Cranford students did themselves proud by engaging fully with this opportunity, being welcoming to their visitors and asking discerning questions.

International Day of Happiness
Wednesday 20 March was World Happiness Day. Students and staff from Sixth Form to Reception took part in a gratitude and visualisation exercise thinking, about what made them happy and writing this on a leaf to be pinned onto our happiness tree. Students were also encouraged to spread happiness by writing a letter of gratitude to somebody who had made them happy. They were also encouraged to be part of a ripple of happiness by choosing to go out into the week with the aim of performing random acts of kindness towards friends and family. We hope that as the Easter holidays begin they will take this focus on happiness onwards into the weeks ahead.

Sixth Form Driving Safety Awareness
On Wednesday morning, Year 12 attended a fun and memorable talk by S.A.M.E Academy, an organisation committed to improving road safety for young people. The students got involved in a workshop, learning about potential dangers of driving and the importance of making good choices on the road, including understanding peer pressure, speeding and the dangers of drinking and driving. The feedback from Year 12 was resoundingly positive and they enjoyed an informative, thought provoking and empowering morning!

Year 3 Trip to Ufton Court
Also on Wednesday, Year 3 transported themselves back in time to enjoy a day at Ufton Court, exploring ancient Greece. They had a glorious day in the sunshine, discovering Greek culture, lifestyles and activities.

Fee Increase
The next Governors’ Finance Meeting will take place on 8 May. A fee increase will be agreed, to take effect from September 2024. However, as ever, the Governors will endeavour to keep this as low as possible. The exact increase will be confirmed after the Governors’ meeting. VAT on fees is also an issue the Governors will be reviewing. As this is yet to be confirmed or defined, no decisions have yet been made but the Governors wanted to acknowledge this potential issue as an understandable concern for parents.

Exam Invigilators required
As we approach the public examination period this summer, we are appealing to parents who might be available from the 9 May to the 22 June, who would be interested in being an invigilator. Please note, invigilators do not need to be available every day, as are assigned specific sessions. Full training will be given and this is a paid temporary position. Please contact Mrs Clarance (aclarance@cranfordschool.co.uk) for further information.

Whole School Easter Assembly
As you will have read, it really has been a jam-packed week at Cranford. To celebrate the term, this morning we enjoyed a cheerful Easter-themed assembly. Whole School Assemblies are magical occasions. I always feel proud of our school, but there is something about getting everyone together, enjoying musical interludes from different sections of the school and celebrating the various achievements of your children that encompasses everything unique that Cranford is about. We hope you all have a wonderful Easter break!

With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Head