School Development Plan

To one of the questions asked to help shape this Development Plan, a parent responded that the school has lost its compass. The purpose of this Development Plan is to provide a sense of direction for the school over the next five or so years. To chart that direction, it is first necessary to establish the character of the base from which we should set out. The various constituencies who were consulted are almost unanimous about one thing at least: the school is fundamentally British, but with a strong international dimension. From that premise much that is contained in these pages follows.

The British characteristics of the school lie in its teaching methods, its curriculum, its commitment to help the personal as well as academic development of the whole child, the acknowledgement that character and life skills are shaped by activities outside the classroom as well as within it, the interdependence of personal happiness and the fulfilment of academic potential. The British educational tradition has a reputation for excellence, academic structure and rigour, and we seek to engender the highest academic expectations – in an atmosphere that is at once purposeful and relaxed. We are not ashamed to admit that our academic programmes are demanding and challenging; that is why the school chose two public exam systems whose high standards are recognised the world over.

To be committed to British educational values also means that we believe in the essential worth of each individual. Hence, in the classroom we adhere to the Socratic method of teaching, and dialogue. Within and outside it, we applaud anyone – of whatever ability – who tries their very best to fulfil their potential, even if it be a footballer who falls over his feet or a musician with no sense of rhythm. We nurture the overall development of each individual through encouragement, reward and the open expression of our appreciation. None of these qualities can grow without the establishment of a clear framework of discipline whose borders are clear for all to see, respect and support.

There is no conflict, as those whom we consulted were also quick to assert, between our Britishness and our internationalism. We welcome and accommodate the kaleidoscope of nationalities that make up our pupil body, a reflection of the cosmopolitan city and our increasingly globalised world. As this Development Plan suggests, we wish to promote our internationalism through celebrating diversity and respect for difference.

Having established a clear consensus about the position and character of the base from which we should start our journey over the next five years, we may chart a future course, even if we cannot determine our ultimate destination. The content of this Development Plan was created by distilling the views of the constituencies who were consulted. There has been a surprising degree of consensus over the most important issues. Where none could be found, we have at least identified the area in which further discussion is needed. This Development Plan should be regarded as a living and evolving document and will be subject to later alteration in the light of further debate, future developments which none could have predicted at the time it was written, and an evaluation of our own performance in reaching the objectives we have set ourselves in it. But it does, we believe, return the lost compass.

Graham Lacey

January 2011