A Note from the Head

A note from

THE HEAD

Dear Old Witleans,

Wherever this finds you in the world, I hope that you are safe and well. It is a profound privilege to be part of the King Edward’s community, knowing that we all belong to a foundation that is ‘ancient, royal and religious’.

This extraordinary year of change and challenge has refined our sense of community as we emerged out of lockdowns to revert to ‘normal’ – only to discover that resetting may be better described as realignment, setting our course by focusing on all that is valuable, enduring and worthwhile. Such points of reference may, in some cases, have moved, shifted by the pandemic and global chaos. Community, teams and friendship feature strongly in this edition of Kestrel, as we reflect together.

Amid the turbulence, I am pleased to report that the School is in good health: physical and financial. Pupil numbers continue to increase, and the campus is developing beautifully in so many areas. Importantly, the school is in good heart: we welcomed our new Chaplain the Reverend James Radcliffe to the school and we have seen Chapel life resume its pre-covid vibrancy. We have also been pleased to welcome Mr Nick Leiper de Bathe and his family as he takes up the lead on the Charity and Bursary work, reaching out to families to ensure that financial aid reaches those who most need it. Your support and commitment to the Foundation is very much valued – thank you for partnering with us to help provide transformational education.

Of all the different groups who form part of the King Edward’s Community, you, our Old Wits, remain constant. Your connection with the School past, present and future is invaluable. We have news to share with you as we work to protect and preserve all that is good about the school, while also keeping an open mind to innovation and progress. An example of such creative thinking can be seen in the reimagined and architect-designed buildings which you will read about in these pages. We have maintained exteriors of buildings, in such a way that your memories of the campus will be unaltered, while repurposing the inside to provide all our pupils with the best possible living and learning experience. There is great anticipation about the completion of the building work and an appreciation that this is a significant development for the school. None of this work diverts funds or energy from our core offering which is and should always be the mindful care of each pupil: to see them flourish and go on to be fulfilled in whatever lies ahead.

I would like to pay tribute to the many staff in all departments who have worked so hard to maintain academic standards and deliver a rich and varied programme for all our pupils. One of our core pillars is our commitment to pastoral care: gone are the careless comments or attitudes that children are so resilient and can cope with anything … of course, they can do so, but they do not have to do it alone. We are very much a team working together. We recognise and appreciate that our young people have the opportunity to be supported as they learn about themselves and that this place and experience equips them to be effective, successful and fulfilled.

Our ISI inspection provided us with feedback that was affirming and heart-warming. All the important things about a school have been captured brilliantly: the relationships, the support, opportunities and ambition. The challenge for us now is to embed further some of the structural changes that will enable us to achieve higher results in the narrow fields of exam expectation.

We offer an all-round and well-rounded education, and this means that we value the co-curricular programme of activities, recognising that pupils learn so much through sport, drama, art and music. Research shows that pupils who achieve highly in their co-curricular pursuits improve their academic progress as their self-confidence is built. I hope that as you read these pages, you will share some of the excitement of what they have achieved and that you will feel able to come and visit the school again very soon. We look forward to welcoming you.

Mrs Joanna Wright BA