Cranmore A GSG School

Sports

Unusual sports

Rowing

Fencing

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmaster

Since September 2020, Barry Everitt, who joined the school in 2010 having previously been deputy head. Studied business in Ireland before gaining a BSc at Brunel University and a MEd at Buckingham University. Dedicated to life-long learning, ‘a drive to be better and thirst for knowledge’. Enjoyed a successful career in professional rugby, playing at fly-half for teams including London Irish as well as his country. Still holds the record for the most individual points scored in a premiership season. Education, then, is his ‘third career’ but where he is ‘by far, happiest’.

This softly spoken Irishman is clearly excited about ‘forging the future’ of Cranmore. Proudly reels off the school’s facilities, opportunities and achievements (which takes some time) before revealing he’s most fulfilled simply seeing pupils with smiling faces. ‘He’s the best,’ says one pupil. A younger pupil revealed he’d heard a rumour that ‘severe punishments’ are dealt from his office though we found no evidence of such in his functional, somewhat corporate, office. Teaches year 4, takes fitness and rowing groups and is often seen leading pupils on cross country runs. ‘Every single child knows me,’ he says. Parents concur, ‘he is very hands on’.

Lives on site with his wife and three daughters, who attend the school since the merger. A keen (but wishes he was better) golfer, who is ‘too immersed in the school’ for other hobbies now. Future ambitions include learning to fly a plane and another degree.

Entrance

Recent merger with nearby girls’ school St Teresa’s – and even more recently Manor House School - to form the Effingham Schools Trust means Cranmore now offers a diamond-model education. Co-ed up to year 2, then boys can re-join girls at St Teresa’s in the sixth form. Interest is ‘off the scale’ with record numbers attending open days. Consequently, entry at senior level is likely to get more selective. Prospective pupils below year 7 spend a session in class and are assessed to ensure they would be happy and successful. Entry at 11+ and 13+ requires sitting an entrance test in maths, English and verbal reasoning. Those with a particular talent or passion will excel here but head assures the school is ‘full of all-rounders’ too. First year 10 cohort started in September 2023.

Exit

Virtually all pupils (98 per cent in 2022) remain within the trust, now that it provides an all-through education. Traditionally they have exited to a wide variety of schools including Brighton College, Charterhouse, Cranleigh, Epsom, Royal Grammar School Guildford, Wellington and Winchester.

Teaching and learning

‘We don’t have idleness here,’ says the head. Potential is ‘cultivated’ rather than pushed. Pupils ‘shine on their own terms’ through a powerful combination of phenomenal resources, breadth of opportunities and talented teachers. ‘It does help if you are good at something,’ says one parent.

The nursery is tucked away in the original Victorian building and is homely in feel. Two form entry with classes averaging just 14. Up to year two 60/40 boys and girls. There’s specialist teaching and moving between lessons from year 4 giving Cranmore the atmosphere of a senior school already. Our senior guides are misty eyed with nostalgia as they show us around. One pupil recalls in detail his first ever lunch in reception. At the forest school they reminisce on whole afternoons of adventure including the time ‘we sat around the campfire with our eyes shut, listening to the story of the great fire of London.’

Head has assembled an impressive teaching team comprising ex-journalists, scientists and musicians. Parents tell us, ‘The calibre of staff gives us great confidence’. Pupils say most are strict but fair. The odd grumble that ‘some shout a lot’ whilst others ‘are not that organised’ when it comes to setting homework.

A stimulating curriculum including Latin, classical Greek and philosophy. Science is taught separately from year 6. Computer coding, engineering and design technology is being given a boost with a new science and DT block – part designed by pupils. Pupils rave about the virtual reality headsets already in use. ‘I went to the wreck of the Titanic once’, one tells us, wide-eyed with wonder.

Learning support and SEN

A progress department of six specialist trained teachers supports almost 70 pupils with mild to average needs. The school’s ethos that every child has a talent informs the offering.

The arts and extracurricular

Glory to be had across the arts in equal measures, especially music. A year 4 pupil recently achieved grade 5 in piano, another doesn’t play a single instrument but has attained grade five in music theory. In the purpose-built music school, there’s an impressive auditorium complete with Steinway grand piano and ‘sadly underused’ Mander pipe organ. Scholarship boards fill most of the corridors. The grade eight level cup is amongst the silverware on display and almost fully engraved with names. Head of music has been at the school for 17 years and is a tennis coach in his spare time. Most children learn at least one instrument, some two or three. ‘We like to keep ‘em busy’, he quips.

It’s lights, cameras and plenty of action in the drama room. Numerous productions each year. One recent junior play was written by a year 8 pupil.

Sport

Sport is the big draw for many parents. A former England rugby player heads up the department. ‘I waited five years for him,’ declares head. Pupils can learn over 20 sports and are pushed to excel once they find their niche. One parent said, ‘It’s great for those who might not be so good at rugby or football because there’s so many other sports to try.’ The facilities are on par with any exclusive health club - three squash courts, a state-of-the-art gym, gleaming sports hall, numerous table tennis tables and 25m indoor pool. Outside are three all-weather games pitches, three cricket pitches, rugby pitches and aforementioned nine-hole golf course. One pupil expressed concern for the maintenance team who were busy mowing on our visit. There’s football coaching by Chelsea FC, a tennis academy and equestrian centre. The school also boasts one of only three indoor ski machines in the country.

The environment is ‘very competitive’ but supported with a robust wellbeing and mental health provision. Scholars are assigned a mentor and enjoy seminars on athlete burnout and sleep health. For the less sporty, year group fixtures mean no one is left on the bench. ‘There’s no sense of rivalry or cruelty,’ according to one mother ‘We stretch those with high ability whilst developing the potential of others,’ adds head of sport.

Ethos and heritage

Founded in 1968, this is a modern school free of stuffy traditions and full of facilities. The 25 acre campus located off the M25 in the heart of Surrey, spans two sides of a road linked by a smart wooden bridge. On one side business; smart purpose-built school buildings and well-equipped playgrounds. On the other, pleasure; acres of lush, green playing fields, nine-hole golf course and a charming forest school surrounded with fruit trees. Pupils share all facilities but at different times, so it is not overwhelming for the youngest.

Classrooms feel industrious. Huge and bright with all mod-cons. Walls exhibit displays of pupils’ work and corridors brandish celebratory quotes from parents. Off the main reception there’s photographic canvases of jolly good times to be had, including a particularly envy-inducing shot of the cricket team on their annual jaunt to the Caribbean.

Atmosphere is encouraging and positive. Glory is for everybody here. One parent says, ‘they celebrate every victory, big and small’. Another says the school ‘gave my son belief’. The school is quietly Catholic. Mass once a term, bibles are presented upon graduation and a prayer corner in a year 1 classroom. Children are encouraged to engage in charitable endeavours and acknowledge their privilege.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

With all this talent ‘cultivation’ it’s good to see a strong pastoral provision. There are nine mental health first aiders amongst staff and a school counsellor. Meditation is timetabled. We note a ‘listening box’ in one of the two (also excellent) libraries. Form tutors, buddies and subject and year group captains provide day to day support if needed. Anxiety is the biggest issue but drastically reduced since the new well-being centric sports ethic was introduced.

Pupils and parents

Pupils we meet are kind and genuinely display the school values. One of our guides nips off mid-tour to show a lost prep boy the way to his PE lesson. Another declares the chaplaincy room his ‘favourite room’ and shows us the world map where pupils are encouraged to pin a prayer for particular people and regions. Students are smart and sensible. We barely see an untucked shirt or any hijinks all day. Different coloured blazers mark out the seniors who are particularly gentlemanly, falling over themselves to hold doors for us.

Parents are ‘quite normal’ with the Whats App group ‘not at all intimidating’. One mum told us she ‘didn’t feel like a pauper like I did visiting some other schools in Surrey’. It’s ‘not flashy’ either. Apparently, more celebs are appearing at drop off though, so watch this space.

Money matters

Means-tested financial assistance potentially provides, at most, a free place. Academic, music, art, drama and sports scholarships awarded for entry at 11+ and 13+.

The last word

A school that strives for excellence and explodes every child’s potential thanks to inspiring tutors and awesome facilities. Perfect for children willing to embrace every opportunity and ambitious parents. 'It has good vibes,' summed up one mother.

Special Education Needs

We provide individual help for children with mild to moderate specific learning difficulties/dyslexia. We make available the services, within school hours, of a speech and language therapist and an occupational therapist. 09-09

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