JAMES WILDING - ACADEMIC PRINCIPAL

The story of the English football team fits this pattern, achieving far beyond expectations and clearly not quite ready to win the World Cup...yet. For all the disappointment visible for England, the bigger football story across the world has been the remarkable rescue of the 12 boys and their coach, where they had been entombed in the Luang caves in Chiang Rai, Thailand.  The incredible skill and expertise of the professional divers had been built up over years, enhanced by an incredible willingness to trust each other to work as a team.  Both examples prove to be an inspiration for our own pupils, a reminder that hard work coupled with meticulous planning provide the gateway to success in life.

Our country’s leading public servant, the Rt Hon Theresa May MP, has faced her fair share of challenges recently, and it’s amazing that over her Chequers summit and cabinet resignations, she had time to pen this lovely letter on Sunday 8 July. That is a priceless example of the meticulous attention to detail Theresa has become famous for here in RBWM, sending congratulations to our athletes aged 8 to 16, who could indeed be our future stars.

More are on their way already, with the J16 coxed quad selected to race for Great Britain v France this week. Look out for the names of Toby Stubbs, Alexander Getley, Leo Griffiths and Jake Wincomb, delighted of course at their first taste of international competition, though not quite so pleased with their result, losing by two lengths in Paris. Please turn your eyes towards the Women’s Hockey World Cup taking place later this month at the Olympic stadium in Stratford, where our own Ellie Rayer (1999-2015) will be representing England, first game against India on Sunday 21 July.

To conclude, very many thanks to all  pupils and parents for their wonderful support this year.  In addition, I thank the headteachers and their staff for their amazing work, without which our school could not thrive. We bid farewell to Andy Giles, Head of Sixth Form, to Penny Hawker, Deputy Head Senior Girls, both of whom have been remarkable leaders in office and we wish them well as they move on to new challenges. I look forward to Justin Spanswick moving into executive headship alongside me, and continuing to work with our other heads to ensure that the pupils, parents and families of Claires Court are at the forefront of  what we do. 

Have an excellent summer break , I feel sure we all deserve it!

Hugh Wilding - Administrative Principal

The sheer volume recorded through our special webpage took our breath away, as it also did the RBWM who did not finally catch up with the backlog until the beginning of May! Each of the five applications received over 2,000 expressions of support and we must also thank the members of Maidenhead Hockey Club who have supported our plans as well.

Our applications were validated 25 weeks ago but are still being scrutinised by the RBWM planning team. As anyone who has gone through the process of applying for planning permission, whether for one’s own home or as part of a business development, the paths that lead to approval are not the most straightforward and we have to ensure the best possible outcomes for community, neighbourhood, traffic generation, tree protection, roosting bats, nesting birds, slithering slow worms… the list seems endless. Nevertheless, there is light at the end of the tunnel and our proposals will go forward for determination sometime during the autumn once RBWM has confirmed which development management panel is the appropriate forum - it could be the Maidenhead DMP or it could be the Borough-wide DMP.

If during the break, you find yourself in the presence of a RBWM Councillor then please do engage with him or her and promote our cause - local elections are due next May!

With thanks and have a great summer!