e v o l u t i o n Stroud’s Spring Newsletter 2019
The end of the Spring Term at Stroud is laden with performances in front of large audiences; from public speaking, to gymnastics and dance, to music and drama. The confidence that this builds cannot be replicated in a classroom, but the same confidence is transferrable to a pupil’s academic studies. There are elements of the annual syllabus that impact the normal curriculum, such as our focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths), or the programme for World Book Day. However, we continue to see the benefit of the wider curriculum in our standardised results for the core academic subjects. This is also evidenced by the success of pupils at senior school entry in Years 7 and 9, with another broad range of scholarships offered. Stroud proudly remains a school that selects pupils on a non-academic basis. With approximately 60% of all pupils moving on to highly academicallyselective secondary schools, such as King Edward’s, Bishop Wordsworth’s, South Wilts, Canford, and St Swithun’s, we can be reassured that our programme has the desired outcomes as well as the essential preparatory process. We will, once again, have full use of the playing fields at break time next term, but pupils will also be pleased to note the development of an additional play area near the Middle School hard courts. We are installing a 5m-high matrix climbing
net and will bring back the zip wire! The School Council is an active group and allows us to hear the pupil voice. I am grateful to Miss Edmondson and Mrs Chainey for their continued efforts in making sure this is heard by staff. Further development work includes an upgrade to the food technology room to increase capacity, as well as the installation of a permanent cover over the outside classroom space in the Early Years building. I would urge you to pay a visit to the Rose Garden to see the amazing display of pupil artwork that Mrs Brewer has exhibited to commemorate the Armistice. Pupils from across the whole school made ceramic poppies or inscribed tiles with the names of fallen soldiers. These were presented to the school during last term’s Remembrance Service, but are now on permanent display. Have a wonderful holiday and we will look forward to seeing you after the Easter weekend. Joel Worrall Headmaster