6 September 2024

Dear Parents

September is always one of my favourite times of year, there is always a special excitement attached to the start of a new academic year. It has been a joy to see the smiles, enthusiasm and excitement of pupils returning to school this week to catch up with friends and teachers and share in their hopes for a new year at school. It has been wonderful hearing about summer holiday adventures, sporting endeavours and the huge number of books read across the school over the summer break! The most powerful thing I would encourage every pupil in the school to do this year is to simply spend 20 minutes every day lost in a book.

Welcome to the very many new families who have joined Cranford for the first time this week, it has been great fun starting to get know your children and I'll look forward to meeting more of you and chatting at coffee mornings and events over the weeks and months ahead.

Exam Success

In assembly this week we reflected on our school motto, Per Salicem Ad Alta, (Through the Willow to the Heights) and our belief at Cranford that if our pupils only dare to dream, and are willing to work hard, they can achieve anything they set their minds to. In this context it seems particularly apt to celebrate once again the incredible successes of our graduating Year 11 and Year 13 students in their GCSE and A-Level results this summer. I was exceptionally proud of our Year 13s as they head off to an incredible range of university destinations. It was particularly exciting that 100% of students achieved a place at their chosen university. This is a really special achievement. If you'd like to see the range of destinations, from Oxford and Cambridge, to UCL, Birmingham, Exeter, Warwick and many more, take a look! This was all underpinned by another year of exceptional results with 45% A*/A at A level and exceptional subject results (including for example 83% A*-B in Science and Maths and 80% A*-B in English). This again underlines our position as one of the most successful schools in the region. Our headline results are similarly impressive at GCSE, with 48% 9-7 (55% 9-7 English and 60% 9-6 Mathematics and Science). However, the measure I am most proud of as Head is the value-added score of +1.3 at GCSE – this tracks progress against the baseline assessments taken in Senior School – on this important measure, Cranford pupils achieve over a grade higher per subject that they would at a similar school (tracked against their baseline indicators on entry).

New Facilities

Over the summer the maintenance team have been hard at work getting the school ready for the new term. We are especially excited by the expansion of the Willow Restaurant. This expanded and refurbished space now allows the whole Junior School and then the whole Senior School to eat together in the restaurant. This important change was made after consultation with pupils across the school and we've been pleased to see it in operation this week as Chef Paul and his team set to work providing us all with a wonderful, healthy school lunch! We'll look forward to hearing from pupils in school council over the next few weeks as we evaluate how we can continue to improve our school!

Wet & Wild and Punting in Oxford

Oxford Wet & Wild certainly lived up to its name as Year 7 enjoyed an exciting day in over in Berinsfield as part of their induction into Senior School! The inclement weather didn't dampen spirits as pupils threw themselves into the activities (and water) with enthusiasm! It is a wonderful way to build friendships, get to know form tutors and welcome new friends into the school. Click here for photos. Meanwhile, up in Oxford our Sixth Form were enjoying a slightly damp day punting, not to be put off by the weather a great day was had by all. Do take a moment to have a look at these photos from this week!

I hope you are all looking forward to a restful weekend,

With best wishes
Dr James Raymond
Headmaster