Wrenn is a lucky school in two important ways. The first of these is our superb school environment, so beautifully captured in some of the photographs on this website. Our campuses contain buildings aged between 5 and 100 years old and, ancient or modern, our buildings are well-designed and well-kept, and contribute towards an enriching environment in which it is a pleasure to work and learn.

The second piece of good fortune is the nature of our students. Our clientèle can justifiably be described as lively, courteous and receptive. We benefit hugely from the wide range of traditions from which our pupils come, and the variety of their talents, abilities and interests. Visitors frequently remark on the politeness and friendliness of our community – pupils and adults alike – and on the orderliness and good discipline around the school. Taken together, all these characteristics make Wrenn an exciting and captivating place in which to work and teach.

As a school, we see it as our duty to look out for our students’ interest and not our own. In designing our curriculum, we do not think about which qualifications might boost our ‘league table’ position, but rather which courses will be useful and suitable for our students, and offer appropriate challenge and progression. At the same time, we seek to ensure that they acquire the basic skills, and also a wide range of knowledge and experiences, that will benefit them in their future lives and careers – to lay the foundation for a happy life. Our rapidly improving results at GCSE offer strong evidence that this aim is being achieved.

Success in life does not come without hard work. Our teachers work hard on our students’ behalf and expect the same in return. We are demanding of our pupils, whatever their talents and abilities; we have high expectations of their conduct and attitudes towards others; and we encourage them to think well of themselves, to know that they are capable of excellence, and to aim high. Moreover, from being part of the diverse community that I have described, we believe that our students will emerge from their seven years with us with a special ‘edge’ that few other institutions can provide.

William Thallon
Headteacher