Dear Parents,
I write, after short while in my new post, to share with you some of my observations and thoughts about life here at Sherborne.
The first is that, after the difficult events of the beginning of term, the boys and the staff are in remarkably good heart. I heard much talk of the Shirburnian character before arriving and have been fortunate to see the very best of it. There has been compassion for those in need, a coming together in mutual support and steadfast resilience. There is also a palpable optimism for the future. I am very grateful for the warmth of the welcome and generosity of support which boys, staff and parents have given to me and to my family.
The second is that it is an extraordinary privilege to be leading such a School. First impressions are of the beautiful setting and ancient heritage, but more than anything, there is an energy in the staff common room and an ambition among the boys which promise great things to come.
There has been much talk of a possible change in “strategic direction”. Let me reassure you that there will be no such change; indeed, I am determined to see through to full execution the vision which you will have seen outlined in recent years and the Governors have assured me that they are fully behind me in this. I bring no revolution, and colleagues already know that my drive is for Ambitious Evolution. The ambition which we all share is to make the very best of the gifts which we have been given. I have a long track record of successfully helping colleagues to raise academic standards, and that will - despite what the Daily Mail would allow its readers to believe - continue to be a very important area of focus.
One key part of this evolution is a systematic evaluation of all elements of School life; the very best schools are always considering how they can become better. Colleagues are already beginning this process and I am going to be asking you, as parents, to play your part in it too. We will be asking you shortly after half-term to contribute to a wide-ranging online questionnaire to draw out what we do particularly well and where we might improve. In the meantime, if you would like to discuss aspects of the School’s operation or ethos, I would welcome the opportunity to hear your thoughts and ideas. Your sons will get the best out of Sherborne if there is a strong three-way working relationship between boys, their parents and the School.
One example of the way in which boys themselves are engaging in reflection is the “Student Voice” team. This impressive group of young men gave a compelling presentation to the teaching staff this morning, exploring ways of sharing student feedback on what they believe is the most effective classroom practice. There is no doubt that their careful reflections are going to have a positive impact on learning at Sherborne.
So much learning happens outside the classroom, of course. Boys in School House this week are using the TED talks (www.ted.com) as inspiration for discussion and presentation. If you have not come across these, they are well worth exploring.
On the sporting front, last week started off in glorious sunshine with our fixtures against Blundell’s. The opposition can surely never have expected the huge crowds of Old Shirburnians who joined our boys at the side of the Upper to cheer on the home team at the 1st XV match. The carnival atmosphere was topped off by a win, with Sherborne taking home the Harding Cup, awarded in memory of James Harding OS (m – 2002) who tragically died following a rugby match on the Upper. I particularly enjoyed the chance to get to know some of the Old Shirburnians who, whilst generous with their advice, also gave ample testament to the loyalty and pride which they have in their School. I was impressed too by the remarkable range of ways in which even comparatively young OS were already contributing to the good of our wider society.
After that success, hopes were high for an unusual fixture against Radley when all of our teams travelled there for away matches. This was to celebrate the fact that, 100 years ago, the Warden of Radley finally made the decision to change from Association to Rugby Football. Their first fixture, scheduled against Sherborne, had to be called off through sickness. When they eventually played a year later, the Sherborne 1st XV won a comfortable 42-0 victory against an inexperienced side. Yesterday, 100 years on, Matt Key captained the Sherborne 1st XV to another victory, this time in a close fought game that could have gone either way until minutes from the end. As well as the 1st XV, there were wins for the Colts A, B and C and the Junior Colts A and B – promising strength in depth for the years to come. Owing to the staggered starts for the programme of matches, the second largest crowd of the afternoon (surprisingly) turned out for the Mini-Colts’ E – whose bus had been delayed on the journey – cheering them on in their first fixture to a 22-7 win.
Two particular symbolic occasions have meant a lot to me in recent days. In one short ceremony, the new Prefects read out an oath and signed in the “Prefects’ Book” in the same way that their predecessors have done for over 100 years – and that is a comparatively short time in the history of the School. There was a strong sense both of the heritage which we have to treasure here and of the enduring values of character which are passed down through the generations. Nothing brought these values home more poignantly than the photographs by David Ridgway and text by Patrick Francis in the “Vivat Shirburnia” exhibition commemorating the sacrifice made by Shirburnians, often boys little older than those we now teach, in the First World War. I urge you to visit this exhibition, which remains open until 26 September.
The second occasion was the licensing of our new Assistant Chaplain, Rev Nicholas Mercer. The relationship between the School and the Abbey is a very precious one; boys may not realise it now, but the sound of 600 boys singing their hearts out in the hymns, the experience of reading the lesson and the opportunities for prayer and reflection in this ancient place of worship are things that they will look back upon with great fondness in years to come. If you do get the chance to join us for services on Wednesday or Sunday evenings, you would be most welcome.
The licensing service was one of many opportunities last week for the musical life of the School to shine through. One other which I particularly enjoyed was the solo instrumentalists’ concert in Cheap Street Church on Friday. The sensitivity and musicality of much of the playing belied the ages of the performers; if you are able to be near Sherborne on a Friday lunchtime, these (free) concerts are well worth a detour. Whilst on the lookout for student talent, do stop by the Art School – the works on display here surely surpass any other non-specialist school in their diversity and quality.
The daily life of the School and in the classroom continues as usual. One of my 4th Form class (you know who you are, Oliver!) tried to derail my maths lesson with the question “So, what’s it like being Headmaster, Sir?” I continued to question him about the surface area of a cylinder but, in truth, I would have said that it is a joy and an honour to lead this extraordinary community. For me, the particular privilege of Headship will be to get to know as many of the boys, and you their parents, as I can over the coming months. I encourage you to come and introduce yourselves, either informally on the touch-line, in the theatre or after concerts or by making an appointment through my office. As I said in a recent assembly, I’ve heard a lot about the typical Shirburnian: now I want to get to know them as individuals.
I have hugely enjoyed my visits to Houses for dinner with the Third Form. It has been a genuine honour to spend time with the boys in house and I have learned a lot – particularly from the “Forum groups” who have been kind enough to chat with me. While some proposed innovations have needed rejection – such as the abolition of Hall and the setting up of our own Dominos franchise - others have been more thoughtful, and are already leading to changes in policy and practice. This term there will be changes to Assemblies and Academic Time, for example.
One of the qualities that has most impressed me on my visits to Houses has been the way in which older boys frequently, and without prompting, talk about the importance they place on helping to support the younger boys learn to live happily and harmoniously together, and to make the most of the opportunities here. This is not just one or two individuals, nor is it a learned ‘patter’, but is rather something in the DNA here which is very special.
Many of you will have already seen the film The Imitation Game about the Old Shirburnian Alan Turing. For those of you who have not, I won’t spoil the plot, but there is one line – repeated a few times – which has stuck with me:
“It's the people who no one imagines anything of who do the things which no one can imagine.”
Every one of your sons has the potential to change the world for the better. As they prepare for trial exams, complete Hall, help out family and friends, learn new things and develop new skills, it is important to remember that the ultimate goal of their efforts is not the exam mark or even the university place. It is the development of their potential to make a difference. I for one am grateful to be supporting them, alongside you, as part of that journey.
With warmest wishes,
Ralph Barlow
Headmaster
Sherborne School