Headmaster's Letter - December 2008

Dear Parents / Guardians

The second half of this term has been disrupted by large numbers of pupils and smaller numbers of staff being struck down with either the Winter Novovirus or a chest-headache-temperature bug. The primary play had to be postponed when more than half the cast were off sick in the week before the performance; the excellent senior production "A Night at the Movies" featuring sketches by almost fifty pupils went ahead as scheduled, though with gaps due to illness. A huge number of performers made the Christmas Concert a great success and preparations are underway for the two Carol Services on the last Friday of term.

All this is a great tribute to the determination and sticking power of pupils and staff who have soldiered on and been determined that they will not be stopped from producing the events which make this School so special. At the same time GCSE mock exams and some actual GCSE Module exams have been taking place and the pace of work has not slackened.

The new extension to Gloucester House was formally opened just after half-term and we are currently preparing planning permission applications for Cornwall and Kent Houses. Both will have a ground floor extension with an ICT room as well as a 21 bedroom extension for Sixth Formers. These are planned to open in summer 2010, but work to improve some of the study-bedrooms in Cornwall House should be carried out next summer. The teaching block should be finished by March 2009, meaning that we will start to use it in the summer term. I am glad to be able to confirm that all these projects are fully funded by grants from Central Government, Surrey Capital Funding allocations and grants from trusts.

The Government has abolished SAT exams for Year 9 and the details of what will replace them is slowly emerging. Once there is a definite answer, I shall let you know. Similarly a draft Review of the Primary Curriculum has also just been published. Final decisions on any changes will not be made until summer 2009.

With my best wishes for an excellent Christmas holiday

Paul D Spencer Ellis
Headmaster