Halycon days

By Annie Gent, Head

Waving the children off at the end of the summer term is always bittersweet. For our leavers, it’s a more permanent farewell. The adventures ahead, the doors that will open, the positive disruption they’ll bring to the world… the future is theirs. We send them off with pride for the brilliant young people they are, tinged with sadness that we won’t see their faces each day come September.

For the rest of our special community, the rhythm of school life rolls on. The younger pupils step up to lead, to inspire, and to fill us with pride once more. Every year in a school is different, every term a whirlwind of activity. And so, while we’ve said goodbye to children and families moving on, we now look forward to something precious: rest and restoration.

I remember my own childhood summers as endless halcyon days. Bare, muddy feet, outdoors from dawn to dusk – the joy of play is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. Sometimes, they need to be bored. As a parent, I often hear, “What are we doing today?” at the start of summer. My answer? “Nothing – go and play.” At first, there are groans. Then silence. And finally, rosy cheeks and wild stories on their return.

Children need freedom. To be outside, in the rain or the sun, away from screens and timetables. To be free from bells (thankfully we no longer use one here). To roam, imagine, create, and even get into a little mischief. It is essential for their wellbeing. They will always find fun if given the space and time to do so.

We must resist the urge to fill every moment with structure. Directed activities have their place, but they don’t grow problem-solvers, inventors or dreamers. What we need – what the world needs – are creative thinkers who’ve had time to explore and imagine.

So, as we close the chapter on another school year and look ahead to summer, we send this message with our pupils: be free. Be outside. Try something new. Stay off your screens. And above all, play.

This message isn’t just for the children. Our staff team receives it too. Everyone deserves the chance to reset. Time to reflect, to unwind, to simply be. Downing tools for a proper break is vital – for our health, our creativity, and our joy.

A few weeks of sunshine (fingers crossed) and we’ll all be ready to begin again – energised and excited for what’s to come.