I only have one message today - thank you. To all our staff who I highlighted last week for particular praise for their efforts during these very trying months, to you our parents for having faith and choosing an organisation in Claires Court that genuinely cares about every child and every family in our community, and finally to our wonderful pupils themselves. Our whole raison d'etre is to provide every opportunity for your children to fulfil their potential, and to remind them that education is a journey and not a race, a philosophy that has never been more important than the circumstances we find ourselves in right now. Thank you for sharing this vision.

Today we have also said goodbye to some teachers and pupils who start anew in a different place. Maybe university, maybe at a new secondary school. Without exception, we have had to say goodbye in a way that is not ideal, that would not be our choice of departure, in a situation where we cannot show our appreciation and recognition as we would like to. However, I have always believed that a goodbye is never as ‘final’ as it sounds. The author Paulo Coehlo once wrote, ‘If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello’. I believe in that.

I will still be in contact with you all over the summer to update you on details of our start back to school in September, and hopefully, to a healthy and fresh start to the academic year. Please look after yourselves and your families, and enjoy your time together.

My best wishes 

Justin Spanswick 

Executive Headteacher