Education and Training Awards 2020

Jun20417 Best Co-EdBoarding&Day Grammar School - South East England In the heart of the weald of Kent, and serving the charming town of Cranbrook is Cranbrook School, a highly successful 11-18 co-educational and selective boarding school. On a mission to promote high academic achievement, to provide pastoral care of the highest order, and to build character within its students, Cranbrook School is a truly exemplary educational facility. Following its success in this year’s iteration of the Education and Training Awards from Corporate Vision, we take a closer look at what Cranbrook School has to offer its students. The epitome of excellence for educational facilities today often comes in the form of Outstanding reports from Ofsted. In 2015, the body awarded that coveted title to Cranbrook School, and twice subsequently for boarding-specific inspections since then. Academic standing is nothing to baulk at, and the school prides itself on offering exceptional academic learning opportunities to students. Regularly achieving between 70-75% A*-B grades at A-Level is no mean feat, nor is between 40-50% of 7-9 grades at GCSE levels, but it a common occurrence at Cranbrook School. With underlying values that centre on respect, aspiration, and achievement, this school is far more than just an outstanding place of learning. It balances curriculum with societal values that prepares all students for the challenges, responsibilities, and opportunities that come with adult life. Cranbrook School could be considered an unusual school for its wide range of characteristics, including being a boarding, grammar, and co-educational school. Despite being located in a relatively non-diverse part of the world, the school itself is truly global in its make-up; a strength of its boarding traditions. Everyone at Cranbrook School constantly aims high and competes well with the best of the best in the independent sector, but on a much tighter budget. Above all however, it is the fun that students have not just in the classroom, but also in the multitude of activities under the umbrella of the Cranbrook co-curriculum. The number of students who sign up for activities such as the CCF, Duke of Edinburgh scheme, musical and dramatic productions, and sporting events is second to none, with every student being encouraged to get involved and make their mark. As is the case with many schools across the United Kingdom, and indeed the wider world, there are many challenges facing Cranbrook School that are related to re-opening phase following the COVID-19 -imposed lockdown. Having devised a highly successful re-opening programme for Years 10 and 12 in the later part of the summer term 2020, the school is well-placed to continue sustaining good numbers moving into a new academic year. Cranbrook School is being typically innovative in organising quarantine arrangements, along with remote learning facilities within boarding accommodation to ensure that it keeps its boarding families happy and loyal to the school. One of the secrets of Cranbrook School’s success lies in its excellent links with key national players and influencers in the sector. The Head of the school is an active member of the Grammar School Heads Association Steering Committee, and also sits on the management committee of the State Boarding Forum management committee. As well as being connected with national bodies that influence decisions, the school has also overhauled its online presence in recent years so that it is regularly present on Twitter and Facebook with consistently dynamic newsfeeds. It has also cultivated excellent relationships with local primary school feeders, ensuring that every student in the local area has the chance for a brilliant secondary education experience. Staff are integral to any education experience at school, and an increasingly strong middle management tier has really helped progress curriculum development generally, and Cranbrook School’s remote learning capability. Maths and English teachers have done especially well in recent years, and lead the way in terms of innovation and aspiration. They are the mainstays of the curriculum, and drive overall academic performance. Lockdown has really highlighted the departments and individuals who are pushing the limits of what they can do with innovation, with a particular focus on online teaching. With an eye on the future, Cranbrook School is looking more expansively at multi-academy trust structures, and at more integrated work with a local non-selective school on post-sixteen provision. The school is at the heart of plans to develop the town of Cranbrook as it grows more generally, and aims to give students in the area as wide a range of options as possible when finishing their GCSEs. Education is vital, and this school’s education is nothing short of exceptional. Company: Cranbrook School Contact: John Weeds Website: www.cranbrookschool.co.uk