Principal's Welcome

It is with great pleasure that I write to you as Principal of Cleeve School and Sixth Form Centre. My vision for the school is very simple: for it to provide the very best possible education and experience for all of its students so that they are thoroughly prepared for the next, very exciting stages of their lives. The highest standards and aspirations permeate everything we do. 

As a parent myself, I know that all parents and carers want the very best for their children – and rightly so. As a school, we have a duty to provide all of our students with an exceptional learning experience, one that allows them to attain excellent examination results, and also one that prepares them for an increasingly challenging world beyond school, where the ability to keep learning and developing as young adults is imperative. Our programme of extra-curricular activities and enrichment is of the highest calibre and contributes towards the students thriving in all aspects of their growth and development; equally, our provision for the highest achieving students ensures that they progress through our flourishing Sixth Form to the best universities, including Oxbridge.

Cleeve School offers consistently outstanding teaching and an innovative and highly personalised curriculum, where literacy and numeracy skills provide essential foundations. The school provides a safe and stimulating environment, where mutual respect threads through the celebrated ethos of care, support and guidance. In preparing students for the world beyond school, we firmly believe in high standards of dress and attitude, so that good manners, tolerance and understanding underpin everything we do. Tradition is important – and we hold on to our traditions and high expectations, whilst also thoroughly embracing innovation and a 21st century approach to learning.

Partnerships are crucial, particularly with regard to our partner primary schools and other secondary school establishments. Our Governing Body is exceptional and helps us to foster links with diverse aspects of the community. Our partnerships with the worlds of business and industry continue to thrive and help to provide highly stimulating and relevant learning experiences for our students. Our partnership with parents is arguably the most important and it is through a mutually supportive approach that the students will aspire to be the very best they can be. In working with parents, we listen closely and act accordingly: as mentioned, I approach my work as an experienced professional, and also as a parent. By listening to a range of stakeholder voices, we don’t stand still, we keep developing and improving. Nothing but the very best will do.

In short, Cleeve School provides the very best education, where students progress and thrive because they enjoy and are inspired by their learning. The school compares very favourably with other schools in both the private and state sectors throughout Gloucestershire and, indeed, beyond. It is a school that I feel extremely proud and privileged to lead: the exceptional staff and students make my job the very best in the world!

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the school further, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school – I will be delighted to meet with you.

With very best wishes

Alwyn Richards