Letter from the Head Master Dear Parents and Guardians

It has been a year of mixed emotion.

When naming us as Independent Boys’ School of the Year in November, the judges cited Warwick School’s ability to combine pride in its long history and the traditional values that we hold with an innovative approach that prepares pupils; not only to achieve outstanding outcomes in public examinations, but for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It has taken over 1,100 years, but finally the rest of the world has started to recognise what our community has long known - that a Warwick education values the holistic development of pupils and strives to prepare them for successful careers and fulfilling lives.

This commitment to innovation has continued this term. The first Year 8 pupils have completed their Design Thinking certificate after designing a product that aims to enhance the lives of dementia sufferers, and presenting to representatives from Kissing it Better and the University of Warwick. The first set of Floreat Diplomas have been awarded to members of the Lower Sixth who have completed 320 hours of activity and a reflective journal focusing on the role their experiences have played in developing the school values. The Lower Sixth also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a conference co-hosted with the London Interdisciplinary School, who helped us to design and implement a day of thinking about ‘inequality’ from a range of different perspectives.

Despite this and the countless achievements in the classroom, on the sports pitch and on the stage, memories of the past year will always, understandably be coloured by the tragic death of a member of our Upper Sixth. Arun’s death will continue to affect our entire community for a long time to come and I am sure, like me, you continue to hold his family in your thoughts. Over the past few years, we have worked hard to enhance our pastoral provision and our pupils benefit from initiatives like the Wellbeing Hub. Despite this, Arun’s death was a shock and it is a distressing fact that many young people can mask their feelings so well that people around them are unable to detect their struggles. For this reason we are committed to continuing to work alongside organisations like the Samaritans, Papyrus and R;pple as part of our commitment to be the ‘most caring boys school in the UK’. The next stage in this commitment is the introduction of mixed aged tutor groups from September. Knowing the individual is the most important of our four key priorities and we believe that these changes will further enhance our pastoral care, help us to know and celebrate every pupil, and create a sense of belonging, continuity, and community. We will continue to work to fulfil our purpose of inspiring and nurturing every pupil to thrive both now and in the future.

I hope that you enjoy reading what follows, and I look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to take on new challenges in September - whatever they may be.

James Barker Head Master