Headmaster's Welcome

"The Croft gave me the belief to achieve." These words from a former pupil capture the very essence of our school.

Since 1933, The Croft has been a place where children are not only educated but empowered to believe in themselves, to grow in confidence and to discover the joy of achievement. At The Croft, every child is seen as a unique learner. We encourage pupils to embrace challenges, develop resilience and nurture creativity – skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Our six core values – Friendship & Trust, Respect, Resilience, Growth Mindset, Creativity and Excellence – guide everything we do, shaping a community where children flourish academically, socially and personally.

At the heart of our approach lies the Backpack for Life: a forward-thinking curriculum designed to equip pupils with emotional intelligence, innovation skills, personal growth strategies and societal awareness. This vision was recently recognised at the Schools and Academies Show in Birmingham, where we were invited to share our work as a spotlight on curriculum innovation.

I have had the privilege of leading The Croft for over 13 years. During this time, I have seen pupils achieve outstanding academic results, securing grammar school places and scholarships to leading secondary schools. More importantly, I have seen them grow into confident, compassionate young people, ready to take on leadership roles and make a difference in the wider world.

Our coaching culture, inspired by my own background in professional sport and leadership coaching, ensures that both pupils and staff strive to be the very best versions of themselves. Resilience, teamwork and high performance are not just ideals here – they are lived experiences.

Of course, no website can fully capture the atmosphere of The Croft. Trying to share the atmosphere of The Croft through a website is like trying to capture the magic of a live theatre show in a recording. It gives you a glimpse but not the full experience. That is why I warmly invite you to visit us. Come and see for yourself what makes The Croft truly different. Here, children don’t just succeed academically – they believe, grow and achieve.

Marcus Cook

Headmaster

 

The Croft from the Air