WELCOME TO
CRANLEIGH FAMILY
A LEARNING MODULE FOR ALL TEACHERS AT CRANLEIGH’S INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
MODULE OVERVIEW
Introduction from James Dale-Adcock, International Development Director at Cranleigh International
WHERE ARE CRANLEIGH’S SCHOOLS?
WHAT IS CRANLEIGH’S HISTORY?
WHAT IS ‘EX CULTU ROBUR’?
WHAT SORT OF SCHOOL IS CRANLEIGH UK TODAY?
WHO ARE THE CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL TEAM?
WHAT DEFINES A CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL?
HOW DO WE LEVERAGE THE CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL NETWORK?
WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL?
WHY YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT?
WHAT TO DO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?
INTRODUCTION
Hello, I am James Dale-Adcock, International Development Director at Cranleigh International. Thank you for working through this learning module, and thank you for joining the team at one of Cranleigh’s international schools. I am absolutely sure you will thrive and enjoy everything that comes with developing your career at a Cranleigh School.
This learning module is designed to help you understand what the Cranleigh name means to all Cranleigh stakeholders; staff, leaders, governors and board members, parents and students. It is directly focused on helping you as a teacher at one of Cranleigh’s international schools understand the history and ethos of Cranleigh; moreover learn how you can benefit and involve yourself and students you teach in the many connections and collaborations which occur within the Cranleigh family of schools.
You will find ten key questions answered in this learning module (don’t worry there isn’t a test at the end). After working your way through the module, should you have any questions about Cranleigh International, please contact me or one of my team.
There is always an open invitation for you as a Cranleigh teacher to come and visit the UK campus at any time of year, you will be warmly welcomed.
WHERE ARE CRANLEIGH’S SCHOOLS?
CHANGSA
CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL TIMELINE
NOVEMBER 2012
Cranleigh Governors sign agreement with TDIC & Royal Group to build a school in Abu Dhabi
SEPTEMBER 2022
Cranleigh China Wuhan opens; Dean Arthur appointed Headmaster
SEPTEMBER 2022
Ground broken on new Cranleigh Abu Dhabi Pre-Prep site
SEPTEMBER 2014
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi opens its doors 2017
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi wins TES Best new International School of the Year award
MARCH 2022
Cranleigh International sign new agreement with Aldar Education for major regional expansion
NOVEMBER 2022
Tracy Crowder-Cloe appointed Principal of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi from September 2023.
First female leader of a Cranleigh School
APRIL 2021
Adam McRoy appointed as Headmaster of Cranleigh China Changsha
JANUARY 2024
Cranleigh Abu Dhabi Pre-Prep opens to 600 pupils
AUGUST 2018
Aldar Education purchases Cranleigh Abu Dhabi & Mike Wilson becomes new Principal
SEPTEMBER 2020
Cranleigh China Changsha opens
JUNE 2019
Cranleigh China agreement with Cogdel Education signed by respective chairmen, Adrian Lajtha & Wang Shu
JUNE 2019
Cranleigh/Cogdel agreement formally recognised by UK & Chinese governments at UK China Economic & Financial Dialogue
WHAT IS CRANLEIGH’S HISTORY?
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CRANLEIGH SCHOOL
Cranleigh School began life in 1865 as a community school for 27 sons of local farmers, 22 of them were boarders. The first Headmaster was the Reverend Joseph Merriman who served for 27 years. His portrait can be found in the school’s former chapel, now dining hall, where portraits of all former Headmasters hang. School fees in the foundation year of the school were £30 per annum for boarders and £6 per annum for day boys! There were only two holidays a year, totalling 10 weeks, with Sunday lessons and religious services. Younger boys were admitted to the school from 1884 and an official Prep School arrived in 1913, by which time the total school numbers had gradually risen to around 300 boys. A large proportion of the 250-acre estate the school sits on was donated by local MP and benefactor, George Cubitt, after whom one of the eight current boarding houses is named.
During the 20th century the school continued to grow in size and reputation, becoming one of England’s well known and best regarded boarding public schools. Many new facilities were added including a golf course, riding stables, theatre, swimming pool, Astroturf hockey pitches, Art studios and several new boarding and academic buildings. In 1971, the first girls were admitted to Cranleigh School in the Sixth Form, with the school going fully co-educational in 1999.
Generation after generation of Cranleigh pupils have lived up to the school motto
Ex Cultu Robur (From Culture Comes Strength), achieving particular success on the sports pitches, as well as producing professional standard theatrical performances and receiving many musical accolades. The first rugby match took place at the school in 1916 and in subsequent years several Cranleighans have gone on to receive Oxford and Cambridge Blues and play for England. During the 1990s and early 21st century Cranleigh School has been UK national champion on the hockey pitch, cricket pitch and netball courts, producing international athletes in all three sports.
Cranleigh’s first international school was founded in Abu Dhabi in 2014, predominately the brainchild and work of Old Cranleighans and Cranleigh Prep School
Headmaster at the time, and later Principal of Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Mike Wilson.
Cranleigh’s schools in China soon followed with Cranleigh Changsha opening its doors in 2020 and Cranleigh Wuhan in 2022. In 2024, Cranleigh School appointed its first female Head, Samantha Price. The story continues….
SOME NOTABLE OCs
OLLIE POPE
Loveday 2011-2016
Current Vice-Captain of England Men’s Test Cricket Team
JULIA ORMOND
1&4 South 1981-1983
'One of the few actresses of her generation in constant demand'
The Daily Mail
LORD ANDREW ROBERTS
East 1976-1981
'One of the greatest Historians of our time'
The Guardian
ERIC FELLNER
East 1972-1977
'He is one of the most powerful figures in British Film, and Hollywood too'
The Guardian
NICHOLAS DIMBLEBY
2 North 1960-1964
'It was the life that he breathed into his creations and their emotional truth that struck viewers'
The Daily Telegraph
PETTER
South 2011-2018
100 Great Britain and England hockey caps & Olympic bronze medalist
IZZY
WHAT IS ‘EX CULTU ROBUR’?
The Cranleigh motto has been the same since the school’s foundation in 1865. Ex Cultu Robur (from culture comes strength) informs a robust education ethic and a heartfelt belief in the holistic development of young people.
Our day is built around a strong academic timetable that also prioritises time for sports, music, drama and the creative arts, enabling every child’s talent to flourish. Old Cranleighans – our celebrated academics, politicians and business leaders, our national standard athletes, our musicians, artists and actors – are testament to its success.
Over the years Cranleigh has stuck by Ex Cultu Robur and strengthened this core ethos. It aims to provide young people with the strength to succeed; the wisdom to make informed choices; resilience in the face of failure or difficulty; and the insight to recognise their privilege and to shape the future culture of the world through lives of service and leadership.
At the heart of a Cranleigh education are four central values of Service, Relationships, Leadership and Excellence. Along with the motto and the core holistic educational ethos, these principles are what make the Cranleigh community special.
SERVICE: All in the community are encouraged to adopt an attitude of service to each other and the wider community.
RELATIONSHIPS: Strong relationships are fostered as a priority in a predominantly boarding community. Children flourish within safe, supportive environments.
LEADERSHIP: Openness, integrity and thoroughness are characteristic of everything we do. Cranleigh aspires to lead thinking and practice in holistic, boarding education. Cranleighans will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to shape future culture.
EXCELLENCE: Cranleigh will strive for excellence in everything it does and aspires to be recognised both for its educational vision and for the personal qualities of Cranleighans.
WHAT SORT OF SCHOOL IS CRANLEIGH UK TODAY?
I am incredibly proud to lead this school, which has an illustrious and rich history, but is most definitely future facing. As part of our growing international group of schools, you are an important element of that future and a valued member of our family. Our motto, Ex Cultu Robur (from Culture Comes Strength), is at the heart of a Cranleigh education and what better way to develop cultural understanding amongst our students across the world than by connecting them through exchanges, collaborative projects and competitions organised by Cranleigh International?
This learning module will help you understand what is special about Cranleigh and what it means to be a part of the Cranleigh International family. However, there is no doubt that visiting our UK school would also be a hugely enriching experience; you are always welcome here.
I very much hope to see you at Cranleigh in the UK soon or to meet you on one of my visits to your school in the coming year.
Cranleigh UK today has around 1000 students across the Prep and Senior school. It is fully co-educational throughout and offers a flexible approach to boarding at the Prep School, with full boarding places being prioritised in the Senior School. Pupils come from the local vicinity, but also London and further afield in the UK. We also have a small but growing number of overseas boarders on the school roll. The campus rivals the other top public schools in the country as regards facilities, location and space; all key factors in a premium-plus boarding school offering. But it is not the buildings, facilities green space, or even the curriculum which make Cranleigh special, it is the people and the educational philosophy they adopt.
CRANLEIGH THINKING, CRANLEIGH
BEING, CRANLEIGH GIVING
All students are encouraged to develop their independence in and outside the classroom from an early age. The Cranleigh Thinking methodology is used to develop students’ enquiry skills and sense of academic curiosity. Under the umbrella of Cranleigh Being, a highly resourced pastoral system which is closely pegged to the house system, particularly at
the Senior School, supports students on their journeys through the school.
Cranleigh Giving brings together our volunteering and fundraising activities.
Our vision is to support the school’s ethos of service and leadership by turning privilege into action and harnessing community support. Cranleigh UK students achieve university places at Oxbridge and Russell Group universities; moreover, they leave the school as confident, wellrounded, resilient young men and women, who have a strong purpose and understanding of service due to the friendships they have developed, and guidance they have received, within the boarding community.
offer help, support and friendly advice to new Fourth Formers. Living and working with peers means that Cranleighans make strong friendships that last for life.
LEADERSHIP
FRIENDSHIP
Cranleigh combines a modern boarding week with the wealth of opportunities associated with full boarding. For Cranleighans, the boarding house is at the centre of all that they do. Our four boys’ and four girls’ houses share a nurturing, supportive ethos and are affiliated in pairs so that boys and girls can experience a true co-educational experience. We have vertical Tutor groups, so older year groups are always on hand to
Throughout the school, pupils are contributors. They are given increasing opportunities to lead as they move up the school, with roles in the boarding houses, house challenges, societies and committees. By the time they reach Sixth Form, students are working alongside lower school tutors on the PSHE programme, helping on topics such as ‘healthy relationships’ or ‘where to draw the line between banter and bullying’. Such leadership is encapsulated in our Ivy House Award, which is designed to promote self-leadership. Students find out who they are, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and set life goals, looking practically at how to achieve them.
CRANLEIGH CONNECTIONS
Connecting with students and staff at our overseas schools in Abu Dhabi and China is an important vehicle for helping develop global perspectives on issues which will shape all our students’ futures. Cranleigh UK students collaborate with their Abu Dhabi and China peers across a range of academic and curricular areas including politics, environmental sustainability and creative arts.
LIFE AFTER CRANLEIGH
As members of the Old Cranleighan Society our alumni, benefit from the wide variety of services on offer, from events, clubs and societies. to support throughout university and working life. Our Network offers all Old Cranleighans advice, mentoring and career development. Our notable alumni reflect the ethos of the school and its drive to support individual talent, including: international sportsmen and women, such as England Cricketer Ollie Pope and Hockey Olympian Izzy Petter; academics such as Historians Andrew Roberts and Eva Namusoke; artists such as Nicholas Dimbleby; Musicians such as composer Derek Bourgeois; writers such as Playwright Patrick Marber and actors such as Julia Ormond.
A FINAL WORD
The Good Schools Guide, in its most recent edition, describes Cranleigh School as:
A BUSY, ALL-ROUNDER SCHOOL WHICH WILL SUIT MOST TEENS DOWN TO THE GROUND AS LONG AS THEY’RE HAPPY TO GET STUCK IN. PARENTS PRAISE ITS ‘FAMILY FEEL’ AND PASTORAL CARE AND SAY CRANLEIGH SUITS A WIDE RANGE OF ABILITIES – FROM ACADEMIC SUPERSTARS TO THOSE WHO NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE HELP
But what better way to explain what Cranleigh UK is like today than ask a couple of students; here’s what they said:
CRANLEIGH IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, GOING AND SEEING MY FRIENDS, AND THE COMMUNITY THAT’S CREATED BY MY HOUSEMISTRESS AND THE HOUSE ENVIRONMENT AND MATRON, I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THAT. SO, WHILE I LOVE HOW BUSY CRANLEIGH IS, THERE IS ALWAYS TIME FOR A CHAT
Siena K. IT’S A PLACE WITH HUGE AMOUNTS OF OPPORTUNITIES. NOWHERE ELSE IN YOUR LIFE CAN YOU RUN DOWN TO THE TENNIS COURT OR THE SWIMMING POOL OR GO TO AN ACADEMIC SOCIETY, LISTEN TO A LECTURE, GO AND TALK TO A TEACHER ONE-ON-ONE AND GET THAT INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION
Robbie M.
ACADEMIC
Teaching takes place in the Emms Centre, Connaught Block and the van Hasselt Centre. Across our campus, there are lecture theatres and smaller seminar rooms which cater to a range of teaching and learning styles.
MUSIC SCHOOL
The Merriman Music School comprises the Clive Stevens Recital Hall with seating for 100. In addition, there is a professionally equipped recording studio and an insulated Rock Room.
ART & DESIGN
The Woodyer Studios are some of the best school art facilities in the country. Design Engineering boasts three fully-equipped studios and the latest 2D and 3D CAD software.
SPORTS
Over 20 grass pitches for rugby, lacrosse, cricket and football, 4 astroturfs, 2 fitness centres, an outdoor education centre, swimming pool, golf course, equestrian centre, cricket nets & outdoor bubble for winter practice, 12 tennis and netball courts, squash courts, 6 fives courts, sports centre and dance studios.
CHAPEL
The beautiful neo-gothic chapel was designed by Henry Woodyer, the architect of the main body of the School. 2010 saw the addition of a new Mander organ and balcony.
QUAD
Designed by Henry Woodyer in 1865, the quad was originally paved but today its green lawn is an iconic view of Cranleigh for the students who cross it to reach the classroom blocks and the Dining Hall.
THEATRE
Speech Hall is the largest theatre space and is used for productions, concerts and events. It is a flexible space with a varying format of staging and seating. For smaller, more intimate productions, we have the 100-seat Vivian Cox Theatre.
Mr James Dale-Adcock
International Development Director
• CEO – Cranleigh International
• New business development
• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi board
• Cranleigh China board
• CESL Director jda@cranleigh.org
+44 1483 542066
+44 7795 926510
Mr Dominic Britt
Deputy International Development Director
• Operational connection lead
• Partner development strategy
• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi board
• Cranleigh China board
dpb@cranleigh.org
+44 1483 542087
+44 7407 790466
Dr John Taylor
International Director of Education and Assessment
• International academic lead
• Professional development
• Cranleigh China board
• CESL Director jlt@cranleigh.org
+44 1483 542006
+44 7561 683013
Mr Simon Whitehouse
Cranleigh International Governing Body Chair
• Cranleigh Abu Dhabi board
Mr Nick Miller
International Liaison
Mrs Tania Moonesinghe
Cranleigh International Consultant
• Cranleigh UK based
• Student/staff connections
• UK campus visits
ngam@cranleigh.org
+44 7792 016079
• Early years lead
• Foundation school adviser
WHAT DEFINES A CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL?
Cranleigh UK and Cranleigh international encompass a portfolio of five schools with a sixth opening shortly. Our international schools have rapidly climbed to secure top global rankings, not only for their academic prowess and university placements, but also for their alignment to the Cranleigh motto Ex-Cultu Robur (From Culture Comes Strength), in providing outstanding student development opportunities and serving the communities in which the schools are located. Innovation, leadership, human enrichment and community engagement are at the heart of the Cranleigh education model.
Cranleigh International has built a globally recognised reputation for delivering outstanding international schools, not through rapid growth, but as a result of developing strong trust-based relationships with carefully chosen partners; Aldar Education in the Middle East and Cogdel Education in China.
Cranleigh schools place high value on embedding themselves in their local communities, whilst leveraging the support and connection opportunities afforded by being part of an authentic international family of schools.
RELATIONSHIPS
EX CULTU
ROBUR SERVICE
EXCELLENCE
LEADERSHIP
HOW DO WE LEVERAGE THE CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL NETWORK?
Probably the most important section! As a teacher at a one of Cranleigh’s schools you can benefit from our global network in a number of ways:
JOIN one of our professional development groups. Dr John Taylor runs the Cranleigh International cross-schools CPD forum, as well as guiding action research leading to Cranleigh International project certification. A cross-schools safeguarding and wellbeing group is also run from the UK and there are regular opportunities to join online training centred at the different schools in the Cranleigh family.
SHARE and receive good practice with your colleagues at Cranleigh’s schools in the UK and other Cranleigh International schools. Our dedicated Cranleigh International liaison, Nick Miller (ngam@ cranleigh.org), will happily connect you with the
appropriate colleagues / departments if there is something you need help with or want to share. It is always good to connect on an individual basis and our family of schools is well set-up to facilitate this.
VISIT the UK campus and other Cranleigh International campuses. Informally, there are often holiday period overlaps which will allow teachers to visit other Cranleigh campuses when they are in operation. More formal learning visits can be arranged where you can shadow and/or team teach with colleagues at different Cranleigh schools; speak with your Principal to explore these opportunities.
INVOLVE yourself in one of the many student connections and collaborations which are a real strength of the Cranleigh International family. Whether it is helping put together one of the regular
student exchanges which occur between the schools, preparing your students for entry into one of the Cranleigh International musical, art, essay writing or eco competitions, or devising a new way for students between the schools to connect and learn form one another. Ultimately, the more every teacher puts in the more opportunities for shared learning our students will have.
REACH OUT to our International office based out of the UK campus to discuss, explore or propose any idea concerning the Cranleigh International network of schools. We would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the Deputy International Development Director, Dominic Britt (dpb@ cranleigh.org).
Cranleigh UK senior governance representation at key partner PR events and ceremonies
Cranleigh International school site quality assurance visits
School regional management board chair/cochair providing strategic direction, leadership support and brand oversight
Investment in leadership coaching and counsel
In-depth auditing tailored to each school’s strategic development plan
Leading Principal recruitment and joining SLT recruitment processes with partners
Supporting schools with international inspection/kite-mark certifications
Cranleigh UK - Abu Dhabi Performing Arts exchange - in person student collaboration week
Musical theatre collaborative performance for major school productions
Cranleigh UK buddy exchange experiences
Cranleigh International art/photography joint gallery showcasing all Cranleigh students’ work
Cranleigh International Musician of the Year online competition
van Hasselt persuasive writing award based on topical global themes judged by UK school
Purvis Journal student collaboration - student
led scholarly journal examining academic and social issues pertinent to future generations
Joint House Competition pairing Junior School house systems
Eco initiative collaborative work - regular interchanges between students on national and international eco initiatives
Bespoke admissions connections at all Cranleigh schools, UK and International
PARTNERRELATIONS EXECUTIVEBOARDROLES ANDQUALITYASSURANCE
CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION AND SUPPORT
Senior leader induction weeks in the UK involving governors, senior leaders and student groups
Middle leader Cranleigh UK buddy experience weeks
Principal/Head operations meetings with Cranleigh International/UK leaders - forum for assistance and counsel
Cranleigh International Teaching and Learning forum and CPD certificate examining horizoning pedagogical themes and education innovations
Cranleigh International Safeguarding forum - Cranleigh UK led sharing safeguarding best practice
Cranleigh International PR and IT support; Cranleigh brand and IT expertise
Steering feasibility, due diligence and market analysis work in collaboration with our partners
Project advocacy through British Embassy, government and commercial relationships with Cranleigh
Leading legal agreement negotiation and execution alongside securing necessary trademarks and other intellectual property (domain names etc.)
Evolving intelligent and targeted school marketing strategies in location with our partners
Foundation leadership team recruitment using resources available throughout the Cranleigh International network
Working with architects to deliver bespoke Cranleigh International schools fit to be centres of global excellence
Start-up curriculum establishment and education intellectual property provision
Tailored advice to promote the Cranleigh ethos and co-curricular structures from school inception
IT infrastructure modelling and engagement with local education regulators
WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR CRANLEIGH INTERNATIONAL?
The Cranleigh International family is growing. It is imperative that with that growth we maintain a close, connected community where authentic mutual benefits of having a family of international schools flourish. This is central to our scaling strategy and why most of our future growth will be with our current operating partners, not new partners. In the Middle East, Cranleigh is committed to regional growth with Aldar Education and we expect to see a number of new Cranleigh schools in Bahrain, Dubai and other GCC territories in the near future. In China, school roll out with Cogdel Education Group has been rapid over recent years, despite several challenges out of our control. Cranleigh and Cogdel expect to continue to build on their strong partnership in China, which has seen the inception of two Cranleigh Schools, with a view to further expansion.
Other opportunities in different regions and countries are being explored but very careful consideration is given with any new enterprise to ensure it will fit appropriately to the carefully crafted Cranleigh International model.
WHY YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT?
WHAT TO DO IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?
We hope you have found this learning module useful. Please speak to your school Principal to discuss any Cranleigh International connections, initiatives or further training you would like to receive. By far the best way to understand the Cranleigh brand further is to visit our campuses across the world and meet the fantastic teams at the different Cranleigh Schools. The UK campus is open throughout the year and one of our team would be delighted to show you around, please use the following contact details to arrange a tour.
Mr Dominic Britt
Deputy International Development Director dpb@cranleigh.org
+44 1483 542087
+44 7407 790466
Mr Nick Miller
International Liaison ngam@cranleigh.org
+44 7792 016079