I hope you all enjoyed a restful Easter break. It has been a pleasure to welcome our pupils and staff back to school this week for what promises to be a productive and exciting summer term.

We are delighted to share that our school has been recognised with a National Engagement Award by The Engagement Platform (TEP) following their Spring 2026 census. We achieved a Top 10% ranking nationally for both Employee Line Management and Pupil Recommendation, placing us among the highest-performing schools in the country on these measures. This recognition reflects the shared commitment of our pupils, employees and families to building a positive and supportive school environment. We are very proud of this achievement and will continue to use this engagement data to drive our ongoing school improvement work.

The Easter break saw our pupils pushing their boundaries across the Lake District and beyond. Our Gold Duke of Edinburgh took part in a challenging and rewarding three day Practice Expedition as part of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Their time in the Lakes was spent developing the teamwork and outdoor navigation abilities that are essential components of the Gold programme. Simultaneously, our PE faculty led another successful trip to Lanzarote. Pupils and teachers set off in the early hours of 26th March for a week of warm-weather training; the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and we extend our sincere thanks to the staff for organising such an enriching trip to further develop our pupils’ sporting skills.

Mr. Hunt delivered an insightful "Celebrating Minds" assembly to mark World Autism Acceptance Month and Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Pupils explored the vibrant world of neurodiversity, learning that the autism spectrum is a unique blend of strengths, such as creative problem-solving and intense focus.

The session empowered pupils with practical ways to be inclusive allies, from practicing patience to respecting the sensory needs of others. He also discussed our shared duty to prevent discrimination and ensure equity for all. By embracing the message "difference, not less, equals success," we are reaffirming our commitment to a school environment where every mind is valued. We encourage you to discuss these themes at home as we continue to ensure our community remains a welcoming space where every pupil can thrive.

I am immensely proud of two members of our teaching staff who took part in the London Marathon last week, embodying the spirit of perseverance we encourage in all our pupils. A huge well done goes to Mrs Fern, who ran in support of Alzheimer’s UK and raised an incredible £4,500 for the cause, completing the demanding course in 5 hours and 40 minutes. We also celebrate Mr Sorrell, who was fortunate enough to secure a ballot place and displayed great determination to finish the race in 4 hours and 8 minutes. Their dedication to training and their success on such a prestigious global stage serve as a wonderful inspiration to the entire school community.

One of the greatest privileges of working in education is witnessing and celebrating the many achievements, both personal and high-profile, within our school community. It fills me with immense pride to see our core values of Success for All, Character for All and Dignity for All being demonstrated daily by both pupils and staff. You can read more about these achievements in the news articles below or by following us on Facebook and Instagram.

As this will be my final Headlines message before study leave begins, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my very best wishes to all those preparing for public examinations. I have been incredibly impressed by the dedication and collaboration between pupils and teachers to ensure the best possible preparation. I recognise that this period can be intense for both pupils and their families, and I sincerely wish everyone the very best in the weeks ahead.