I am sure the former comment wasn’t made on a Friday afternoon nor simply because the candidate was keen to impress, and I know that the latter comment was genuine. Indeed, candidates are invariably impressed by the warmth and friendliness of our school community, and by the responsiveness of our pupils when they teach an observed lesson. They are grateful too for the round of applause which they often get at the end of the lesson!

That responsiveness is born of a natural curiosity and desire to learn. On Wednesday evening, some of us were treated to the annual Year 9 Maverick Thinkers presentations. We listened to pupils who had researched topics such as: Is globalisation doomed?; Should schools prioritise mental health or academic success?; Is women's beauty important?; Is ERP the most effective treatment for paediatric OCD?; Is intelligence only hereditary? It was a fascinating evening, and we were all struck by the confidence with which pupils were able to answer some pretty challenging questions from judges and audience.

We are always pleased when our young people take such an interest in the world beyond their studies, and our role is to encourage such curiosity as they formulate their own opinions and values. Conclusions, research-based, were often balanced: for example, academic success and mental health go hand in hand, and intelligence can be attributed to both DNA and environment. Whatever the case for the latter conclusion, you, as parents, can take the credit!

I wish you and family a happy and restful bank holiday weekend, and hope that our intelligent pupils can achieve a healthy balance between rest and revision.

John Watson

Headmaster and Principal