STRATEGIC VISION
2024 - 2030
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WELCOME FROM THE HEAD
As we enter our 300th year, it would seem fitting to be not only celebrating our past, but also securing a bright future for Sir William Perkins’s School.
“Individuality continues to be championed – there are no identikit students here, just high-achievers in charge of their own future. As the school gears up to celebrate its 300th anniversary, there’s exciting change afoot. From September 2026, Sir William Perkins’s will start welcoming boys in Years 7 and 12, with a view to becoming fully co-educational by 2030.”
Talk Education
As we enter our 300th year, it would seem fitting to be not only celebrating our past, but also securing a bright future for Sir William Perkins’s School. The vision and strategy within these pages seek to pay homage to our founder and the school’s roots, ensuring that – as mere transient custodians – we continue to provide an excellent education and ensure the school has a secure future.
Sir William Perkins’s School has flourished for 300 years because of the dynamic governance and brave decisions made by successive leaders. On the eve of the tercentenary, we look to how we can continue to flourish in the context of the wider world, meet the demands for a first-class educational experience, and support our young people to leave equipped for a bright future.
This strategy derives from wide-ranging discussions and consultation between Governors and Leadership. Here we have sought to re-articulate our educational vision, supported by clear strategic aims which seek to make Sir William Perkins’s School even stronger; to serve its community both inside and outside of the school gates and forge partnerships and alliances which will enable the school to approach the future with confidence and integrity.
Debbie Picton Head
For the sector to survive and offer a brilliant education there are a number of key areas independent schools must champion:
Maintaining and enhancing academic standards is a significant priority in a competitive market; families will look to schools to provide an education that enables all to achieve excellent outcomes and progress into their future training, study and employment.
Developing innovative teaching and an exceptional curriculum is key to ensure all learners will achieve excellent outcomes, but there is a need for schools to develop a distinctive approach that meets the need of their learners but also makes a bold contribution to the sector as a whole. Independent schools need to be able to take risks in how they teach and develop the bravery to explore new ways to assess learning, and promote important competencies such as teamwork.
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THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT EDUCATION
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Offering outstanding pastoral care amidst the complexities of the modern world, including the role technology plays in childhood, remains an important challenge to address. Independent schools need the spaces to support children to meet their health and wellbeing needs throughout their schooling, and the space to engage with a range of professionals to make schools safe and fulfilling places to learn.
Students will need access to high-quality sporting facilities to offer choice and the potential for advanced development for those with elite potential. Such facilities become a vital connection with the local community, and independent schools will increasingly have to demonstrate their commitment to their civic responsibilities.
Co-curricular activities need to be offered with a broad range of opportunities for all to participate, and make the necessary space for children to have a varied education that promotes the arts alongside sports and other pursuits.
High-end facilities and imaginative approaches to spaces will be considerations all schools need to address to make a distinctive offer to children and families as well to encourage innovation in teaching and learning. Independent schools will need to innovate by challenging the conventions of classrooms and develop new spaces for new types of learning and technology.
Ultimately independent schools have to address the challenge of creating world-ready young adults who can engage civically, question confidently and be able to lead healthy productive lives in diverse communities. Whilst schools have a duty to offer a brilliant education, they need to offer students the opportunity to engage with others through partnerships and community engagement; fostering the necessary altruism and sense of service prepares young people to make a commitment to a better world for all.
OUR VISION
A leading independent co-educational day school: a community where every individual thrives.
Our vision expresses our combined sense of purpose, aspiring to be an environment which promotes the success of every individual whilst recognising that individuals must work together to create a strong, purposeful community and a sense of belonging.
OUR MISSION
To champion the individual and build confidence, integrity, and excellence. Our holistic education promotes innovation and creativity both inside and outside the classroom. Our values of curiosity, ambition and generosity enable our students to go beyond academic success, leaving the school with a conscience and world-ready.
OUR VALUES
Curiosity, Ambition and Generosity
We seek to nurture in every student the values of curiosity, ambition and generosity. Curiosity about our world and our future. Ambition for ourselves and for others. Generous with our thoughts, our gifts and our time. We seek to build confidence, integrity, and excellence in a caring, innovative, and happy community so that each pupil leaves having been given the best possible chance of achieving their full potential, taking with them sound values, breadth of skills and knowledge, and ready to take on the world.
STRATEGIC AIMS
We are proud of our long history and heritage; a school which was founded to educate the ‘poor boys of Chertsey’.
We are committed to building on these foundations, by embracing the community and the world around us which we passionately believe will stand every individual in good stead for the future. To that end, we are committed to a set of strategic aims to deliver the vision.
1. World-Ready Our students are ready for the world, and ready to make the world better for everyone
2. Personalised Achievement We provide an education that enables success for everyone - personalised and ambitious, with excellence the norm
3. Enriching Experiences All students enjoy an enriching school life beyond the classroom
4. Culture of Care We promote a culture of care for all
5. Partnerships and Connections We are a school embedded in the local, national and global community, learning through partnership and collaboration
6. Flourishing Staff Our staff are engaged with the school’s mission, are valued members of the community and are supported in their personal growth
STRATEGIC VISION 2024
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
OUR VISION
Values-based Our school values drive our decisions not only strategically but day to day. In a complex world, a strong sense of values and moral purpose will ensure everyone can make a positive contribution
Forward-looking We seek to embrace new developments in education, including technology, and seek to learn with and for the sector. We are committed to sharing our learning as we seek to create the best education for every child
and beyond the classroom ensures all students, regardless of background and circumstance, can flourish. We capture our impact through academic outcomes but also through the development of skills and competencies beyond the classroom. And we capture the impact we have in our community
A
leading independent co-educational day school: a community where every individual thrives.
Sustainable We are committed to making a positive contribution to the world through all of our activities, and to ensure financial sustainability so our school can flourish for many years to come
Our vision expresses our combined sense of purpose, aspiring to be an environment which promotes the success of every individual whilst recognising that individuals must work together to create a strong, purposeful community and a sense of belonging.
“A
wonderful example of the benefits of a focus on the individual, Sir William Perkins’s School consistently turns out capable, confident young adults.”
Aspirational Every child and every person in our community deserves to succeed and feel they belong. For everyone, we are aspirational for what they can achieve and where they will go with their learning. We are aspirational for our community beyond the school gates, and seek to do our part in ensuring Runnymede thrives
Talk Education
Impactful We seek to make demonstrable impact for every learner through our education. Personalising pathways and adapting work in
Research-informed We seek to make the best decisions through engaging with research and evidence, forming connections with organisations and academics to support our development as a school and to be curious about how we work. Research engagement allows our staff to develop as professionals
STRATEGIC GOALS
Our strategic goals will support the delivery of our strategic aims over the next six years and will inform the development plan which will deliver the vision.
WORLD-READY
Our students are ready for the world, and ready to make the world better for everyone.
We will use these goals to deliver this strategic aim:
A Futures programme which prepares students for the dynamic and evolving careers market. Students have regular opportunities to develop their skills for the future, and are supported by informed staff to make intelligent choices for themselves
Our charitable giving strategy is led by students and makes a tangible contribution to our local community, involving regular time commitments as well as fundraising
Students are supported in developing selfawareness, leadership skills and a community conscience
Our digital strategy empowers staff and students to innovate and collaborate with an ethical approach
Fostering better links with our alumni, ensuring long-term engagement with the school and support for current students as role models and mentors
OUR VISION
“A wonderful example of the benefits of a focus on the individual, Sir William Perkins’s School consistently turns out capable, confident
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STRATEGIC VISION 2024
PERSONALISED ACHIEVEMENT
OUR VISION
We provide an education that enables success for everyonepersonalised and ambitious, with excellence the norm.
An academic enrichment programme that is ambitious and engages all students allowing individual strengths to flourish
National success in competitions across different areas of the curriculum
We will use these goals to deliver this strategic aim:
A leading independent co-educational day school: a community where every individual thrives.
Developing our teaching and learning strategies in adaptive teaching, ensuring all students achieve academically
Our vision expresses our combined sense of purpose, aspiring to be an environment which promotes the success of every individual whilst recognising that individuals must work together to create a strong, purposeful community and a sense of belonging.
Ensuring our educational spaces are inclusive and incorporate digital technologies
Data-driven practices supporting our forensic approach to improvement
“A wonderful example of the benefits of a focus on the individual, Sir William Perkins’s School
young adults.”
Reviewing our curriculum to incorporate interdisciplinary thinking and ambitious content; students have the opportunity to personalise their learning and develop independence of mind
consistently turns out capable, confident
Establishing a culture of gender equity in the move to co-education. All students pursue their individual passions in a supportive environment
Talk Education
Providing opportunities and spaces for collaborative working and showcasing our students’ work
ENRICHING EXPERIENCES
All students enjoy an enriching school life beyond the classroom.
We will use these goals to deliver this strategic aim:
Pursuing success at elite level sport, whilst ensuring all students benefit from high-quality sports provision and embrace a healthy and active lifestyle through sport for fun and wellbeing
Building on our excellence in creative and performing arts by widening participation and working with community organisations to promote these disciplines
Our timetable embeds the co-curriculum within the school day, demonstrating our commitment to cultural, creative and sporting activity.
Our dynamic provision responsive to students’ interests ensures the highest participation rates
Increasing opportunities for student leadership, recognising leadership is diverse in style and impact
Our House structure supports fun, and encourages healthy competition and full engagement in school life
OUR VISION
“A wonderful example of the benefits of a focus on the individual, Sir William Perkins’s School consistently turns out capable, confident
CULTURE OF CARE
We promote a culture of care for all
Maintaining our strong commitment to student wellbeing, ensuring we have the appropriate resources and staff to support every student
Championing our mentoring/coaching programme so that every child is known and can flourish
Fostering a sense of self-worth in all students by promoting behaviour aligned with our values
We will use these goals to deliver this strategic aim:
Ensuring our proactive approach to pastoral care continues to have at its heart collaboration with families and staff in the best interests of every child
Embracing and prioritising inclusivity by putting a personalised approach to learning at the heart of academic life
Extending our culture of care for all to the wider community through shared initiatives and facilities
PARTNERSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS
We are a school embedded in the local, national and global community, learning through partnership and collaboration
We will use these goals to deliver this strategic aim:
Leading the way with making Runnymede a stronger community for the benefit of all who work, live or are educated here
Promoting a community-focused approach to the use of our facilities and resources enhancing our reputation as a outward-looking school
Championing Project 300 (in celebration of our tercentenary), and through its success ensuring long-term opportunities for partnership work and volunteering are identified
Embedding our partnership strategy which encourages our students to learn alongside others locally, nationally and globally
Ensuring students have regular opportunities to take part in trips and activities locally and further afield, developing an appreciation of the world beyond the school gates
co-educational day school:
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VISION
STRATEGIC VISION 2024
2024 FLOURISHING STAFF
OUR VISION
Our staff are engaged with the school’s mission, are valued members of the community and are supported in their personal growth
Our well-resourced professional development programme is rooted in the school vision, mission and values, supporting staff in their personal growth
A commitment to achieving operational efficiency and excellence to support staff to deliver at the highest possible level
We will use these goals to deliver this strategic aim:
A leading independent co-educational day school: a community where every individual thrives.
Our digital training is responsive to need, allows for efficient ways of working and embraces new and emerging technology
Our vision expresses our combined sense of purpose, aspiring to be an environment which promotes the success of every individual whilst recognising that individuals must work together to create a strong, purposeful community and a sense of belonging.
Our staff wellbeing programme includes access to health and fitness facilities, excellent workspaces and technological support
“A wonderful example of the benefits of a focus on the individual, Sir William Perkins’s School consistently turns out capable, confident young adults.”
Talk Education
A commitment to facilitate academic staff to engage in teaching and learning research and be involved in the wider educational community, supporting advancements in our own practice and that of others
STRATEGIC ENABLERS
Our strategic aims are underpinned by the following strategic enablers:
• People
• Infrastructure - Estates and IT
• Partnerships and Community engagement
• Finance
• Monitoring progress - Whole school development strategy
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“It
is essential, above all, that in making history we do not forget to learn by history, to see our mistakes as well as our successes, our weaknesses as well as our strengths.”
Eleanor Roosevelt, ‘Tomorrow Is Now: It Is Today That We Must Create The World Of The Future’ (1963)
