More Than Meets the Eye
31st January 2026
More Than Meets the Eye
Imagine a seed planted beneath the soil. For a long time, nothing seems to be happening - until the right conditions allow it to grow. Much of a child’s ability works the same way.
This week at school, we took important steps to better understand what lies beneath the surface for our students.
Understanding How Your Child Thinks - Year 9 CAT4
Our Year 9 students completed their CAT4 assessments, designed to help us understand how students learn rather than how much they know. These assessments highlight patterns of thinking and problem-solving, offering insight into areas where students may thrive - sometimes in ways that are not immediately visible in everyday lessons.
The outcomes help us:
- Tailor teaching approaches more effectively
- Guide subject choices with greater confidence
- Support students whose abilities may be developing at a different pace
This is about possibility, not prediction.
Conversations That Matter - Year 12 PTC
We also welcomed parents to the Year 12 Parent–Teacher Consultations. These conversations are vital in helping students navigate the increasing academic demands of Sixth Form. When school and home share understanding and expectations, students are better positioned to succeed.
Helping Potential Emerge
Children do not always recognise their own strengths - and sometimes they underestimate them. Our collective role is to create environments where students feel safe to try, to fail, and to try again.
You can support this at home by:
- Asking about learning, not just grades
- Encouraging persistence when tasks feel challenging
- Reminding your child that growth often happens quietly
When ability is noticed, named and nurtured, confidence follows.
“Potential isn’t discovered all at once - it is revealed over time.”
Thank you for walking this journey with us as we help each child grow into their best possible self.
Ms. Noela Gichuru
Deputy Headteacher – Academic
