Recent weeks have been happily dominated by recruiting processes - with both new colleagues and new pupils being considered for admission. This is such an exciting part of my job: to source, see and select new talent and bring in new opportunities, interests and ideas. I hope you will all find time to offer them a warm welcome in the new academic year.
School Staff
Welcome to Cransley.
If you haven’t already, please read the previous Journal entry acknowledging those colleagues who are leaving us this term - some after decades of service; some after only a few but meaningful and enjoyable years.
Mrs West’s teaching allocation will be taken up by the familiar and hugely talented Mrs Louise Chester, who, up until now, has focussed on teaching Textiles with great success, given the outcomes of recent ISA Art Festivals and the astonishing fabric display and mannequins from our GCSE pupils adoring the Hall. (I have my eye on one piece in particular, but it is uncertain whether there is enough fabric to cover my ever growing torso.)
Mrs Caroline Kenny, a very capable and eager teacher of French and Spanish at Didsbury High School, and a teacher of English to those for whom English is a new language, will take up the teaching of languages left by Mrs Gilmour and Mrs Wagstaff as they retire. Much travelled and very experienced, Mrs Kenny will take a part-time role alongside Ms Wilde in September, as we promote the valuable uptake of languages at GCSE.
[By the way, Mrs Gilmour has offered to host Spanish adult evening classes in the new academic year, therefore anyone seeking more linguistic confidence in the local language before their 10 day, all-inclusive to Torremolinos should get in touch now.]
Dr Boomer leaves us for new climes teaching all sciences at Weaverham in September, with her lessons of Biology and Geography being led by other colleagues next year. A huge advocate of International Science week and campaigner for the uptake of Natural Science as a new GCSE, Dr Boomer will no doubt be thrilled that the DFE has confirmed plans to move ahead with the plan, and we will keep a close eye on the opportunity to introduce it here at Cransley.
Mrs Tanya Baylis will be joining our Junior School, fresh from maternity leave and a relocation, having taught for several years in Richmond upon Thames across the Primary age range. Mrs Baylis brings a strong pedagogical expertise and range of additional extracurricular interests to the School for the benefit of all the Junior pupils.
Mr Hinton who has long-served Cransley in a variety of roles, has finally got his hands on the Utility belt of Estate management and is proving wonderfully capable and vigilant, supporting the safety of pupils and staff alike, and facilitating so many activities taking place in this vibrant setting. Mr Hinton will be working alongside Mr Gresty, under the supervision and guidance of Operations Manager, Mrs Holt.
We have, this week, selected Mrs Nicola Underhill as the new School Secretary, replacing Mrs Matthews over the summer. Mrs Underhill has had many years of secretarial experience notably at a local independent prep school, and joins Cransley with a great deal of knowledge of families, a deep fondness for children of all ages, of ISI inspections and compliance requirements and of the general complex operation and management of school. I have no doubt that you will all quickly get to know her voice and her writing style, and her seemingly unwavering and unflappable patience, as your inevitable first point of contact at the School.
We also welcome a dynamic and capable learning support assistant, Miss Kate Charlesworth, to support pupils across the school, having previously enjoyed time as a full time Mum and then Support Assistant and Key worker at a local nursery (kids, not plants).
Pupils
We are scheduled to start the next academic year with the same pupil roll as we have currently - around 255, with a continued push to fill places through the Autumn term, targeting 260 by Christmas; even 270 by the need of the year. The warmth and welcome of our pupils and families is marvellous to see in action, and I thank all those who have reached out to uncertain families to assure them of the choice ahead.
Satisfyingly this year, we will begin with a full Reception EYFS class, for the first time in the School’s history, meeting another of our four-year-plan targets.
So that the date is saved in your diaries, and so we can use your delightful children to be tour guides and ambassadors, please note that the Autumn Open Day will take place on the 20th September 2025, 10pm to 1pm.
Remember: tell only those friends and families that you like.
Have a lovely weekend.
Richard Pollock
Headteacher