Traditional values recognised alongside modern ambition

Kirkham Grammar School Headmaster Daniel Berry ended his first year as head with an excellent inspection report...

The rigour, volume and attention to detail of an Independent School Inspection means that every area of Kirkham Grammar School was under scrutiny. Of the last three inspections, the earlier two have been deemed ‘very good’ with the most recent recognising the school as ‘excellent across all areas’, the highest grading possible within the independent sector. During the inspection over 60 lessons were observed, meetings undertaken and every aspect of the school’s infrastructure and life scrutinised.

The inspection found that the quality of the pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent, saying: “Pupils are articulate and display excellent verbal and communication skills.” The report adds: “Pupils are ambitious learners, eager to respond to challenging opportunities in lessons and clear target setting in marking.” The quality of the pupils’ personal development was also deemed excellent: “Pupils reflect the strong family ethos of the school and demonstrate excellent collaboration in and out of lessons.” The recent inspection confirmed what was already known; Kirkham Grammar School is the best kept educational secret in Lancashire. However, it was pleasing for everyone that it has been officially acknowledged against national criteria that we are working hard to ensure our pupils get the finest education.

It has certainly been one of my proudest and clearly rewarding professional decisions to join such an historic school as Kirkham Grammar School. The start of the new academic year 2016-17 was a significant one for me personally as I entered my first full academic year as Headmaster. In these challenging times, where other independent schools are opting to be free schools or become part of a multi-academy trust, we have strengthened our ‘Truly Independent’ status. It is heartening to stress that we welcomed a large cohort into the first year and retained the largest number into the sixth form for a number of years. I have become convinced that central to our success going forward is maintaining the principle of independence. We are a school that is well equipped to move forward and to ensure that pupils, who only travel through this school once, receive the very best. We can reflect proudly on our achievements from last year to prepare us well for the future.

Kirkham Grammar School aims to give pupils the widest possible perspective on the available opportunities before they leave us. In light of this, we were delighted to support National Careers Week this year in the drive to improve the life chances and social mobility of our young people. Celebrating careers provides them with a real motivational boost, raises their aspirations and encourages them to pursue their full potential. In support of our initiative, it was a privilege to welcome local businesses to Kirkham as they brought real career examples to life. Alongside our new programme of bespoke Career Workshops, the result was truly inspiring. Set over four separate evenings during the week, the Career Workshops were a departure from our usual Annual Careers Fair. They looked at opportunities within STEM, medicine, commerce, wealth management and law, as well as interactive skills development taster sessions. Strategically, KGS adopts a core value of ‘educating the whole person’. Our Career Workshops were designed to support this ethos alongside our young people as they begin to navigate their career and higher education journey.

However, it is the tradition and long history of KGS that remains strong and underpins our ethos. People, buildings and the world around us are constantly changing. However, the core of KGS remains. We will ensure the traditional values are recognised alongside modern ambition. The longer I spend at Kirkham Grammar School, the more I understand what clearly makes it such a unique school. The following is still relevant to our fine school today: The virtue of a school does not depend entirely on its classrooms, the equipment in its laboratories, the number of its pupils, nor even the success of its exam results. There is an unseen influence that is exerted by buildings and surroundings that are beautiful and dignified and in keeping with fine honourable traditions and high ideals embedded at KGS. We are proud of our school and the lifelong memories that clutch at our hearts and are full of opportunity; memories of muddy rugby fields, laughing friends and sunbathed cricket pitches. There is something at KGS that is intangible but very real, the atmosphere in which we dwell, that pervasive spirit which surrounds us and influences all of which we strive to achieve. It is a great heritage at KGS and one which will stay with you for life. As we enter a new chapter in the school’s long and successful history, we look forward to even more from our wonderful pupils.