In the recent history of Wycliffe, the future has never looked

so bright!

With pupil numbers for both the Preparatory and the Senior School

as buoyant as ever and record numbers of new joiners for September 2009, the

school has never looked in better shape.

At the Preparatory School this optimism has enabled the trustees

and headmaster Adrian Palmer to start planning the expansion of the Prep School

on to the newly acquired garden centre site. Adrian Palmer said: “This is a

project that any head would relish and working on the proposal with the

trustees, staff and pupils in shaping the Prep School of the future is something

we are all looking forward to.

“In the last few years we have seen an increase in children

joining the school, not just at the traditional entry points but throughout all

the year groups. Although this is most welcome, it can be frustrating when, due

to demand, we have had to offer places on our waiting list in several of our

Year Groups; the planned expansion would mean more classrooms without

compromising on space.”

This success is also echoed at the Senior School, which has also

seen an increase in day and boarding pupils – an enviable position in today’s

economic climate.

When asked what has contributed to the school’s fortunes, Head

Margie Burnet Ward, said: “It isn’t easy to pigeonhole, which is partly the

secret of the school’s success; pupils are academically challenged in all areas

of the curriculum but equal importance is given to the arts, sport and personal

development. Pupils are encouraged to take part in a wide choice of activities,

which range from the gruelling Nordic survival expedition to the two-week

language exchange to Japan.”

She added: “Once again we have seen excellent examination results

and, as an academically non-selective school, the results are even more

commendable.”