We have moved into May with a typically busy week in school with Year 11 and Year 13 students – the latter freshly returned from their revision week in the Lake District – now very much in exam mode. As ever, it is a balance between working hard and being well-prepared but also managing natural anxiety while performing at one’s best. We aim for both year groups to have the very best support in school in every way possible and if there are any new issues or concerns would always want families to be in touch with us whether students are taking exams in the coming weeks or not but are particularly mindful of these two year groups at this time. In the same way as it is in the early weeks of Year 7, communication is key and the channels are very much open.

We say goodbye to Year 11 today with their Celebration Day followed by the Prom and are looking forward to both events – spirits will be high as we mark their five years at Wallingford School and they really have been a brilliant year group with a strong sense of identity which we have all enjoyed.

Other highlights of the week have included two football-related activities with the Year 10 STARS trip to Wembley Stadium - a great new addition to the calendar - and the week of the always hotly-contested lunchtime House Football Competition for Year 9.

The final highlight of the week was last night’s Spring Concert which was simply wonderful. The range and variety of talent, aptitude and ability on show never fails to amaze and last night was no exception. Very well done to everyone who was involved whether on stage or behind the scenes – the lighting was brilliant! – and a thankyou to all our staff who supported the students to put on such a fantastic show.