There is no denying the fact that this has been an extraordinarily challenging year. However, it has also been a year during which we have celebrated the outstanding achievements of our wonderful pupils. The strength and resilience of this community has been tested repeatedly but it has never once faltered. The debt of gratitude that we owe our staff is immense and at a time when others have been floundering, we have done much more than merely survive. We have flourished during this period and it is lovely to see that the achievements of this community have been recognised beyond the School walls.
Last Friday, we found out that we have been shortlisted in no less than two categories of the national ‘Independent School of the Year’ awards. This is a phenomenal achievement and comes hot on the heels of our selection as finalists in the BIBAs ‘educational establishment of the year’ award. We end this year as ranked Number One in the UK for golf and our prowess across a range of sports reflects the dedication and ambition of our elite athletes and their coaches.
We were visited by ‘The Good Schools Guide’ recently and we look forward to publishing their review of Rossall very soon. Suffice to say that we believe that they have captured the extraordinary energy and warmth of our community superbly well. Our ISI regulatory compliance inspection has now passed and this served as a welcome validation of all that we do to keep our children safe and well. Our student roll is now higher than ever before and recruitment for September 2021 looks very healthy indeed. Without a doubt, we are the fastest-growing independent school in the North West. A level results this summer will be superb and our IBDP candidates have already received a stunning set of results. An average of 35 points is something for us to feel very proud about but the real joy is to be found in the stories of individual students. A good number of subjects received 100% 6/7s (the equivalent of A/A*s) and almost 25% of candidates received more than 40 points.
The imminent arrival of our Steinway pianos, the opening of our new PrePrep and Nursery this morning and the launch of our girls’ football programme are all reasons to celebrate. During the summer months, we will be embarking upon a number of refurbishment and decorating projects. One of our boarding houses will receive a full upgrade and the archway into the Square is going to receive a good deal of attention. Our support staff are fantastic and I know that they will work very hard to ensure that the School is ready in time for returning pupils at the end of August.
The much-anticipated easing of quarantine restrictions for all but those arriving on red list countries is to be welcomed and I hope this will provide a huge amount of reassurance for pupils and parents alike. As our boarders are now safely departing, I would like to thank all staff for working so hard to keep everyone within our community safe. We have been incredibly fortunate but there is no doubt in my mind that from a health and wellbeing perspective, everything that we have done has helped to ensure that our School remained safe and able to operate through the most difficult of times. Our healthcare team is amazing and we are indebted to them.
On Tuesday evening, we enjoyed a production of Twelve Angry Men in the Square. There were some standout performances but this production was about much more than the plot of the play itself. How wonderful to have the opportunity for live drama to make such a brilliant return to Rossall. Parents and pupils braved the elements and there was something about the production which captured perfectly the resilience of this great community. Reflecting on the past year, there is no doubt in my mind that we have emerged very strongly. We have an exciting and coherent vision for the future and, most importantly, our resolve to enrich the lives of our children continues to be our mission. The energy, dynamism, compassion and warmth of this community will roar back into life in September after a much needed rest.
I wish all Rossallians a relaxing Summer, secure in the knowledge that we can look forward to the new academic year with the knowledge that our children are going to benefit from a return to normality. Thank you for supporting the School and being part of this great family. We are much more than a School and this last eighteen months has taught us so much – we have seen the very best of humanity here at School. Rossall is an extraordinary place and it continues to be my privilege to be part of this journey.
Floreat Rossallia!
Mr Jeremy Quartermain
Headmaster of Rossall School
