The Cryptian 2022-23

Phil Stanlake – Acting Head Teacher

Welcome to this year's edition of the Cryptian. At the beginning of this academic year, writing this introduction was certainly something that was not on -or expected to be onmy job list! It has been an honour and a privilege to be the acting headteacher of a school in which I have worked for over 30 years. When I first set out in my career, it was not my ambition to be a headteacher, but my role this year has given me an opportunity to have an experience that I will never forget.

I have seen over the years a huge amount of change: the school population has doubled in size, the buildings have been expanded and developed, the number of staff has increased hugely and the educational challenges are greater and wider. However, the values and ethos that we promote remain constant. The pupils have an amazing experience and it is one that staff take great pride in - making sure that the learning is the best that it can be, both in and out of the classroom

I am very proud of our students; they are the very reason why we are successful. Their desire to inquire, investigate, participate and exercise their curiosity is testimony to their own investment in their education. Of course, they are supported by the parents who want the very best for their child.

I am extremely indebted to the staff body for all the work they have done this year. The academic curriculum, and the challenge that goes with it, is delivered in such a way that it allows the pupils to make the progress that they deserve. The staff give of themselves tirelessly, placing the students’ best interests at the heart of their day-to-day work. Alongside this are the support staff that are essential for running such a fantastic school. I have always stated that they are equally responsible for our pupils' education as they provide the right supportive environment in which the pupils can flourish.

On a personal level, I would like to thank everyone for all the support that has been given to me throughout this academic year. It has not been without its challenges, but it has been rewarding and enriching. I have always worked with the philosophy of 'what is best for the students' and I believe the continuity of education of our school's pupils has been preserved. I look forward to working with Mr Dyer in the years to come in moving the school further forward.

My very best wishes,

Phil Stanlake Acting Headteacher

Nick Dyer – Head Teacher

I am delighted to be writing this introduction, this year alongside Mr Stanlake, for the Cryptian magazine 2023.

It has, of course, been a difficult year personally for me and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues at Crypt, as well as our students, Governors and families at home, for the wonderful support I have received from them all over the past year. It was difficult not to have been in school last August to celebrate with students and staff our outstanding GCSE and A Level results and of course thereafter, as the school year got underway in September. I missed everyone greatly; missed being part of our wonderful Crypt community, working with all our hardworking school staff and helping support all of our students as they navigate their way through their school lives However, the School is blessed with both wonderful students and a committed and supportive staffing body, and it's little surprise therefore, that school life has continued to be a rich and diverse one for all our students, and for our staff who work so hard on behalf of our students to ensure that this is indeed the case. I'd like to thank Mr Stanlake for his outstanding leadership of the School this year, and also extend those thanks to other members of the School's Leadership Team, as well as to all my colleagues on the staff, for their incredible work in keeping the School running so well in my absence.

It was really wonderful, however, to have returned to school in late February and once again to be part of our rich school life. As I write this short introduction, public exam preparation is well under way for our Year 11 and 13 students, who I am sure will achieve outstanding outcomes in their exams this summer. I wish all our Year 13 and 11 leavers this year the very best of luck in their future lives and know that their Crypt education will provide them all with a wonderful springboard for their later adult lives. Equally, those valued staff who are leaving Crypt this year will be greatly missed, and I thank them all, for all that they have so generously contributed to the life of the school over their time with us. My very best wishes go with them as they leave and we hope that they, as well as our student leavers, will all wish to keep in touch with us here at school.

This outstanding magazine documents, as always, the rich and diverse life of the Crypt School over the last academic year; so much goes on that it's an incredible achievement that the team who have put this magazine together have captured so much of that life. My thanks then to the editorial team and to Mr Cobb in particular, for their work and effort in creating this year's Cryptian!

Nicholas Dyer Headmaster