26 June 2026

Dear Parents 

As the temperatures climbed this week and we experienced a truly remarkable heatwave, I have been incredibly proud of the way our pupils have responded. Throughout the week they have shown tremendous resilience, positivity and, above all, an unwavering sense of fun. Even in challenging conditions, the warmth of our school community has shone through. 

We are fortunate to have air conditioning throughout much of the school, which has made a significant difference. Over the next twelve months we will complete the rollout so that every classroom benefits from this investment. My sincere thanks also go to pupils, staff and families for their flexibility this week as we adapted timetables, moved classes and re-roomed lessons to ensure everyone remained comfortable while making the most of every school day. 

On Tuesday and Wednesday, we were treated to three simply extraordinary performances of Grimm by our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils. In front of packed audiences in the Willow Theatre, they wowed us with a fabulous combination of singing, dancing and outstanding acting talent. Yet, more than anything else, I was struck by the joy on stage. There was a genuine sense of friendship, encouragement and generosity of spirit throughout the performances. You could see how much the pupils were enjoying every moment together, and that enjoyment was infectious. 

Performing arts sits firmly at the heart of life at Cranford. Productions such as these do far more than showcase talent; they help young people develop confidence, resilience and teamwork. They encourage pupils to step beyond their comfort zones, support one another, communicate with confidence and discover strengths they may never have realised they possessed. My congratulations and thanks go to every performer; member of staff and parent who helped make the production such a memorable success. 

Elsewhere this week, it was wonderful to see our Year 11 pupils heading off to enjoy their post-GCSE celebrations. They have worked exceptionally hard over many months and thoroughly deserve the opportunity to celebrate this important milestone. Once again, congratulations also to our Year 13 students as they complete their A Level examinations and prepare for the exciting next stage of their journeys. 

Today has also been a particularly significant day across the Junior School as pupils spent time with their new teachers and ‘moved up’ into their next year groups. For our Year 6 pupils especially, this marks a hugely exciting moment as they begin preparing for life in Senior School. It has been a pleasure to watch them embrace this transition with such maturity, confidence and enthusiasm. The excitement across the school has been palpable, and there is a real sense of anticipation as we begin planning for another ambitious and exciting year ahead. 

As we head into the weekend, I hope you can enjoy some time together as a family. Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our wonderful school community. 

With best wishes 

James Raymond 

Head