Cranford Review 2021

Year 9
Up for the Challenge
Year 10
Displaying Impressive Resilience
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With the first national school closure and period
of remote learning behind us, Year 9 returned to
school in September ready to push on with all of
the challenges that Year 9 brings. Whilst school
was different with the new safety and procedural
routines that Covid brought, such as lessons in tutor
bases, wearing masks and increased sanitisation on
the entry to school, Year 9 students quickly adapted
and before long it was like we had never truly been
away for so long.
The beginning of Year 9 also saw the start of GCSE
learning in some subjects. Year 9 have proven
themselves more than up to the challenge, leaving
their class teachers extremely impressed with their
resilience, determination and will to succeed,
particularly throughout the second school closure,
where remote learning returned with a vengeance
to form another barrier for Year 9 students to
successfully overcome.
As national restrictions began to ease we saw many
of the highlights of the year take place. Amani
Salim made her national TV debut on Football
Focus, showcasing her football skills as she had
a kick around with retired professional footballer
Marcus Bean; Matthew Akinmuleya and Rayan
Ali displayed the wealth of musical talent at their
disposal when they hosted their own music concert;
and a larger group of Year 9 pupils represented
Cranford with pride during an Amazon technology
workshop.
I have never been prouder of my year group and I
have extremely high hopes for them as they move
on into Year 10.
Bradley King (Head of Year 9)
The Year 10 cohort have shown such impressive
resilience in the face of extreme adversity this year.
They have made the safety advice implemented by
the school seem like an easy to follow habit, which
has helped keep us all safe. They have mastered the
art of lateral flow testing very quickly and seamlessly
and have incorporated this process into their tutor time
routines. In most tutor groups, it was students who
maturely oversaw the procedure and made sure that
everything was done properly and hygienically and
that the classrooms were left tidy for the next lesson.
They also had their first GCSE style internal exam
experience this year, for which they received glowing
feedback from the exams coordinators. It was a great
chance to become more familiar with the exam
process so that it is not too overwhelming next year
and although it was stressful at times, they all came
out of it stronger and better prepared.
Year 10 have worked with restrictions and found ways
to keep connected and stay creative. I have received
lots of videos on Teams of students playing musical
instruments and I have also received lots of pictures
of drawings that they have been doing. I had no idea
just how original, imaginative and artistic some of the
students in the year group are.
In assemblies and form time Year 10 have tackled
mental health issues, learned about Chinese
philosophy, and competed in current affairs quizzes.
They are an extremely passionate group and engage
keenly in debates. Working with these brilliant young
people has enriched my experience as a teacher at
Cranford immeasurably.
Matt Nation-Tellery (Head of Year 10)
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