21 May 2026

Dear Parents 

As we reach the half-term break, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly busy and enjoyable few weeks and to say how immensely proud I am of our exceptional pupils and the remarkable generosity of spirit, resilience and happiness that have been on display across our school community. 

Over the last fortnight in particular, nearly every pupil from Year 3 to Year 9 has taken part in residential visits. These experiences are such an important part of a Cranford education. They build friendships, develop confidence, encourage pupils to challenge themselves and create opportunities for personal growth that simply cannot always be replicated in the classroom. 

Our school values have been evident in abundance throughout the week as Year 4 and Year 7–9 completed the final set of residential visits. I was privileged to spend time with Year 4 at New Barn and share in their infectious enthusiasm, friendship and curiosity as they embraced new experiences together. I was equally fortunate to visit Year 7 and Year 8 at Osmington Bay, where I was hugely impressed by pupils’ courage and sense of fun as they tackled climbing walls, rope swings and many other challenges besides. Meanwhile, Year 9 enjoyed a brilliant week slightly further down the coast in Devon, and I know the staff team returned immensely proud of the maturity, kindness and Cranford values shown throughout the week. 

There is something particularly powerful about seeing children outside the classroom. Watching pupils encouraging friends at the top of a climbing wall, trying something new despite uncertainty, laughing together around a campfire and discovering that they are capable of more than they perhaps thought possible is a wonderful reminder of why these experiences matter so much. These moments help confidence, character and friendship quietly take root and grow, and they are such an important part of the wider education we seek to provide at Cranford. 

Back at school, public examinations have continued at pace and our Year 11 and Year 13 pupils continue to demonstrate courage, composure and calm as they navigate the demands of GCSEs and A-levels. Elsewhere across the school, it has been similarly busy, with pupils throughout Junior and Senior School undertaking internal assessments over recent weeks with real purpose, commitment and hard work. Well done to everyone involved. 

Today it was also wonderful to see our Year 10 pupils enjoying their first real taste of Sixth Form life through A-level taster lessons and enrichment opportunities. It was brilliant to see pupils participating fully, challenging themselves and beginning to imagine the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. 

Looking ahead, when we return in June, Year 10 pupils will undertake Work Experience placements, Year 5 pupils will enjoy their first taste of Senior School life through Discovery Day, and Year 12 pupils and families will continue the next stage of our Higher Education preparation and support programme. 

We remain fortunate to continue to experience exceptionally strong demand for places across the school, which we hope families see as an endorsement of the warmth, ambition and opportunities that make Cranford such a special community. 

As we look ahead to an exciting second half of term, I hope you enjoy a wonderful half-term break together as a family - a chance to rest, recharge and enjoy time together. Thank you, as always, for your continued support, kindness and partnership. We are privileged to work with such exceptional young people and such a supportive community. 

With best wishes 

James Raymond 

Head