EDUCATION CORNER PODCAST
EDUCATION CORNER PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH ASSISTANT HEAD PASTORAL
Mr. David Mulae FROM CRANLEIGH SCHOOL, SURREY Mr. David Mulae speaks about the ethos and values at Cranleigh School, his prior history working on EDI issues, the work taking place with ‘Flair’ partnered with an organisation called the ‘African Caribbean Education Network’ (ACEN), Cranleigh’s commitment to #BeTheChange and how Cranleigh are teaching the children to be themselves and to embrace the future. Please explain to us the importance and relevance of the Cranleigh motto ‘Ex Cultu Robur’?
Certainly. So,‘Ex Cultu Robur’ means ‘from culture comes strength’. So, traditionally, this would have meant teaching classical traditions and values of the world to give pupils the strength to go out into the world. It now stands for a celebration of all we do, in a holistic sense, around the child in addition to preparing them for their exams and assessments. ‘Ex Cultu Robur’ celebrates culture in all its forms – we embrace people’s school backgrounds and celebrate the diversity it brings into our community. This gives Cranleighans the best experience and understanding of the outside world and better prepares them for life beyond Cranleigh. Can you tell us a little bit more about the ethos and values at Cranleigh?
This follows on from ‘Ex Cultu Robur’, which has helped to shape the ethos that we give Cranleighans. 44 | EDUCATION CHOICES MAGAZINE | AU T U M N 2 02 2
The ethos gives them the insight to recognise their privilege, to shape the future culture of the world through lives of service and leadership. Here at Cranleigh, we don’t ask: “What is our vision for Cranleigh School?” We ask: “What is our vision for Cranleighans?” when they go out into the world. We do that, at the heart of this, through four core values, which stand as: Service, Relationships, Leadership and Excellence. The question is, what does that look like on the ground? On the ground, we break that down into three pillars: ‘Cranleigh thinking’, ‘Cranleigh being’ and ‘Cranleigh giving’. ‘Cranleigh thinking’ is thinking beyond a test, with enriched questions in all departments that are encouraged to get people thinking beyond the specification and the syllabus. There is ‘Cranleigh being’, which is who we are and how we are and that’s something that I’m heavily involved in as Assistant Head (Pastoral) here. Then we have ‘Cranleigh giving’ which is the foundation, the charitable side of the school, and that’s thinking beyond ourselves. Can you tell us a little more about how you came to be at Cranleigh School and your personal background?
I’m a biology teacher by trade. I started teaching 13 years ago. I have moved through the school, including working in boarding as an Assistant House Master and then latterly, for the last 8 years, running
