Headteacher’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers

The opportunity to educate other people’s children is a rare privilege, bringing with it a huge responsibility to provide the best all-round education possible as we aim to prepare young people for happiness and success in their adult lives. At Ranelagh we take this responsibility extremely seriously. We care about the individual and pride ourselves in the warmth of a community in which all our students feel valued.

We live in exciting and fast changing times and this means that providing an outstanding, progressive and well-rounded education is more important than ever. Of course examination results matter and at Ranelagh our students consistently achieve excellent results in all areas of the curriculum, giving them access to the top universities in the UK and overseas. I am immensely proud to be able to say that, in its latest Ofsted inspection report of November 2024, Ranelagh continues to be judged outstanding in all key areas.  Ofsted report that our school 'provides a well-rounded and excellent education for all pupils. Its vision, though we are many, we are one body, underpins the school’s inclusive ethos. Pupils and staff typically spoke of a ‘community feel’ to the school, where pupils from different backgrounds and abilities are made to feel welcome here.'  Ofsted continue to say that Ranelagh 'staff are ambitious for all pupils and have created a culture of excellence. Pupils take pride in attending this school and rise to staff expectations. They are highly motivated and committed to their learning. Pupils achieve exceptionally well, including in national assessments.'  Finally Ofsted mention that 'pupils’ behaviour is exemplary. Through the Ranelagh Student Learner Profile, staff support pupils to develop character traits, such as creativity, independence and resilience. This helps to prepare pupils for success in their learning and life beyond school.'    

As a Church of England School, supported by the diocese of Oxford, education at Ranelagh is provided within the context of Christian belief and practice. In its latest SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) report of April 2019, Ranelagh is referred to as ‘a school in which a deeply held, strongly Christian vision shapes all aspects of its work’;  the school is described as a place in which that vision is lived out as ‘a harmonious, vibrant, and successful learning community’.  This is a happy school in which we encourage an understanding of the meaning and significance of faith and promote Christian values through the experiences we offer each individual.

School should be fun and happy children are more likely to be successful.  We see it as our responsibility to bring out our students’ talents, to broaden their interests and to develop their personal qualities.  The Ranelagh Student Learner Profile qualities underpin everything that we do and are an integral part of our culture and ethos.  We aim to foster confidence, resilience, curiosity, creativity, empathy and independence so that students are ready to make a really positive contribution to their wider community.

Tradition is important at Ranelagh and still shapes some of our guiding principles but we seek to build on the past while looking to the future. This is, and will remain, a forward-thinking school that enthusiastically embraces innovation and new opportunity.

I hope that you will accept my invitation to visit Ranelagh.  It is a truly remarkable school, and it will be a privilege to welcome you here.

Yours sincerely

Timothy Griffith

Headteacher