Welcome back and a happy new start of term to all.
May the warm sunshine stay with us after a glorious summer here at Padworth.
I am delighted to have this opportunity to write to you to introduce myself and to say how very pleased I am to be taking up the post of Principal of Padworth College.
As the new academic year begins, I extend a warm welcome to all our new students joining the College and to their parents and guardians. Also to our new staff: Kate Flack and Cathryn Shakeshaft who join the English as an Additional Language Department (EAL), Shauna Sammons (ICT) and Mike Powell and Sophie Stowe who join our boarding house team.
I am also very pleased to inform you of the appointment of a new Deputy Principal, Christopher Randell, a linguist and currently Assistant Principal at the English International School, Prague. This is following the decision of Neville Duckmanton to retire and return to his native New Zealand with his wife Antoinette. The College is very grateful for all the work undertaken by Neville and Antoinette during the last four years. Neville, in his capacity as Deputy Principal and Acting Principal, has helped enormously in so many ways to ensure the smooth running of the College. We wish both Neville and Antoinette every happiness as they prepare to re-join their family in New Zealand. Christopher will take up his post at the College after October half-term and arrangements will be made to cover the period between Neville’s departure and Christopher’s arrival here.
I have already been asked the question by several – ‘Why did you come to Padworth?’
My answer here is quite simple. From my very first visit, Padworth struck a chord; the College is a special place for education with all the values which we look for when choosing a school for our children.
I look forward to spending time with all – students, staff, parents and guardians – observing, listening and learning. I know Padworth has many strong qualities, not least in its real sense of community, its pastoral care and its academic achievements, all of which will be nurtured and further developed.
Our world is a global one, which never stops evolving; we experience this every day in our lives. Therefore, in order for Padworth to be at the top of its game and to maximise the learning opportunities for all its students, there will be a continued programme of developments. That said, there is no doubt in my mind that what matters most in any community is its people – the individuals, students, parents, guardians and staff, both teaching and non-teaching, all working together in partnership.
The summer has seen much success on the public exams front, and once again Padworth and everyone associated with the College can be proud of these achievements. At GCSE almost half the grades awarded were A*-B, with 25% at A*/A which compares very favourably with the national figure of 21.3%. In particular, our students performed admirably at A Level, securing 100% pass rate (71% graded A*-B) and placing the College 7th in the Smaller Independent Schools A Level league tables. This is especially noteworthy when we remember that Padworth is, in the main, non-selective in its intake and, for our international students, English is an additional language. It just goes to show how much our students have achieved and, indeed, the potential each student is capable of attaining. All our leavers will go on to enjoy places at top universities, including Cambridge, with the vast majority securing their first choice.
During the summer holiday an enormous amount of work has been undertaken and completed on time to ensure that our purpose built boarding accommodation is first class. Significant extensions to our existing facilities now ensure that the vast majority of students have individual study bedrooms with sinks and some with en-suite showers. Bright and spacious common room areas have been created where our students are able to relax and socialise in comfort. As I write now, the finishing touches are being added, with the installation of new fridges for the students. There is no doubt in my mind that this significant investment will greatly enhance the quality of boarding provision for our students at the College.
There has also been much done to improve IT provision for teaching and learning, with the addition of new interactive whiteboards and the installation of a new server to improve internet service. Additional maintenance, mainly electrical and plumbing, has been undertaken in many parts of the College and several former boarding areas in the main house have been converted to teaching classrooms.
The summer weeks were also very busy with students from all over the world enjoying our English and activities programmes. It was a joy to see so many youngsters of different ages making the most of all the learning opportunities, both formally in class and informally in their trips and recreational time.
Preparations are well under way for the College’s 50th anniversary celebration on 28 September. This is a special occasion which will mark the founding of the College in 1963 by Peter Fison and many alumni, along with former staff, trustees and friends of the College have been invited to celebrate both Padworth’s past and its future. There will be tours where visitors will be able to see for themselves the latest developments in the College. We very much look forward to seeing many associated with the College re-united again.
Looking ahead, it is going to be a busy term, with much to do as we watch our students grow in knowledge and confidence so that they can aspire to great achievements. I would like to see a positive start to term, with smartly dressed students, setting high standards in all they do.
May I take this opportunity to ask for your support in passing on information about Padworth’s ‘College in Session’ on 26 September and other Open Days coming up. As you will know, Padworth very much values ‘word of mouth’ promotion within the community and beyond and research tells us this is the most effective way of raising the profile of an educational establishment. If you know of any prospective families who may be considering Padworth and would appreciate an individual invitation do please let our Marketing and Admissions Manager, John Perry, know by telephoning 01189832644 or emailing marketing@padworth.com
In the meantime, thank you for your loyalty and continued support for the College.
I look forward to meeting many of you during the year; you are always very welcome to visit the College at any time if you are in the vicinity.
Yours sincerely,
John Aguilar
Principal