It’s been a very purposeful first full week in school as routines have been put in place and expectations for the year established. I have walked several visitors around the school during the day to see the school "in action" and they have all commented on the focus and commitment they have seen in lessons and the excellent conduct and approach of our students. 

Assemblies this week have been about aspiration. I have cited the destinations of students who left us in the summer so that our current students have ideas as to what they could, and indeed will, do with their lives in the future. Some of this has been about university destinations – and we always enjoy looking at the range of courses our students go on to study and the institutions where they do so – while also recognising that there are a whole host of other careers, study and training options available and that it is all exciting, that they should be aiming high and there is nothing wrong with having a dream and going for it. The school ethos of "Able and Qualified" has also been a focus with Wallingford School being about great examination results and everyone fulfilling their potential but also about the type of young people they become and how they develop during their time with us.  

The importance of communication between school and home in supporting our students cannot be overstated and it is worth highlighting the dates of our remaining Parent Tutor Evenings which take place at 6pm in the Hall: 

Year 8 Monday 14th September 

Year 9 Wednesday 16th September 

Year 11 Thursday 17th September 

Please do attend if you are able to and we will also share the presentations with the information presented on the year group pages of the school website.  

Lots of information is shared about the year ahead on these evenings and the importance of attendance in particular cannot be overstated. Every school day matters and one day’s absence is a day’s lost learning. 

Finally, a huge "well done" to your Year 7 students at the end of their first full week at Wallingford School. They have made a great impression with immaculate manners, smart uniform and a huge amount of enthusiasm – they have impressed everyone and have been a delight to be around. Also "well done" to the Key Stage 3 Choir for their fantastic performance at last weekend's BunkFest.