This year’s Easter happens to fall particularly early and, as a result, the second half of term has been rather foreshortened, to just four weeks. There is always a great deal that happens at this point in the Lent Term, and the shortened timeframe has lent this final week an even greater sense of momentum. It has been a tremendously exciting few days, full of events that speak to the breadth, depth and sheer vitality of the boys’ lives here. 

Monday’s Spring Concert was, as ever, astonishingly good, with four senior ensembles displaying real sophistication in their instrumental playing. The Year 7 & 8 drama productions (an Agatha Christie double bill) have been equally impressive; from the pitch-perfect casting and brilliant characterisation to the energy, dedication and teamwork required to deliver such a formidable number of lines. Both Recita Finals brought a host of excellent performances (and my congratulations to Aarav I. and Teddy Y., who emerged as worthy winners), and we now look forward to the Inter-Set Quiz Final tomorrow, where the Normans take on the Monks. 

Our Final Assembly today offered a moment to pause and recognise a great many boys for their achievements. What a remarkable collective effort it represented. The skills, teamwork, attainment and progress we were able to celebrate serve as a timely reminder of how fortunate we are in our boys, and of the remarkable work of my staff colleagues. One of my particular pleasures in recent days has been chatting with our sports specialists and hearing how struck they have been by the boys’ mindset, approach and progress on the rugby field, whether in touch or contact. I share their view entirely: the energy, determination and camaraderie across our teams have been exemplary. These are what underpin achievement in whatever form it takes. And talking of what underpins us, I was also delighted to announce our first values awards winners today, which will be a weekly occurrence (please do see the separate box below). 

The excitement of the week sits, too, alongside the Warden’s letter to parents sent earlier today, which outlines some significant initiatives as we continue into this new chapter of the School’s history. I am especially pleased that we have been able to review our fees, remissions and bursaries in a way that signals a clear intent: to open more doors and widen access, even as the range of opportunities on offer continues to grow. The overall value of a Pilgrims’ education feels ever more compelling at a time when, over the past three years, we have achieved our strongest results to date – whether in Common Entrance, Winchester Entrance or scholarship outcomes across a range of disciplines. 

The idea of a ‘super-curriculum’ has become increasingly familiar in senior schools, as universities look for those who have ventured beyond the confines of the examined syllabus. We are taking a wonderful opportunity to cultivate something of the same spirit here, at a prep school level, through our partnership with the College. This will be a process in development over the years to come. Through visiting speakers, teachers and coaches, our boys are already finding their learning enriched and extended. They have handled original artefacts in the Treasury Museum, explored astronomy in practice at the Observatory, and can look ahead to Mandarin and Spanish Commoners next term. There will be opportunities to work in the QEII Theatre next year, to have extension talks in a range of subjects, and to make use of the College’s outstanding facilities, from the new astroturf to the sports centre with its indoor cricket nets, climbing wall, swimming pool, squash and fives courts. It was particularly pleasing to see academic opportunities already in evidence, with two Year 8 pupils, Lucas J. and Alfie O., recently joining forces with two College Year 9s to win the regional round of the UK Maths Trust team challenge; they now go on to the national Finals in June. This rich seam of opportunity will only deepen as we continue to shape and grow our own version of a super-curriculum. 

As the Warden also notes, we will be taking important strategic steps this summer to develop both the Pre-Prep and the Main School boarding house, alongside the creation of an improved Hub (medical centre) for all boys. In the Pre-Prep, a new canopy along the north wall will enhance the flow between indoor and outdoor learning for Years 1 and 2, supported by new furnishings for both work and play. The relocation of the Hub to the ground floor, on the south side of the tunnel between the Yard and the Quad, will make it more accessible and better suited to both its medical role, but also its vital pastoral role too. It will connect to boarding via a new internal staircase and open onto a new outdoor wellbeing space at the east end, made possible by the generosity of last year’s Leavers’ parents (with the current bike shelter being relocated). The move will also allow us to reimagine the existing boarding space, creating a more homely lounge with comfortable furnishings on the boarding floor itself - a simple and significant improvement for the boys who live here. 

And so it is that there is a lot to be thankful for this term – with enormous efforts of both boys and staff – and a lot to be excited about for the future at Pilgrims’. 

Gratitude and optimism. Now there’s a pairing I will gladly head into the holidays with! 

Tim Butcher
Headmaster