As a new Head, it is customary to outline to the community a vision for the future of the School. This start of a new calendar year – one year after my family and I joined Sidcot and a January that brings with it many changes to the independent school sector – feels like a most apt time to introduce our new Strategic Development Plan and to consider what we believe the future holds. 

Community is at the heart of everything that we do as a School and over the past year, we have been consulting with staff, governors, parents, Old Scholars, and all importantly, our students, to hear their views. The resulting Strategic Plan 2030 is therefore a collaborative project with input from all of those conversations, as well as my personal experiences as Head. My sincere thanks go to you for your support, ideas and encouragement. 

Taking as inspiration our School motto, “Sic Vos Non Vobis” – “Thus we labour, but not for ourselves”, our Strategic mission is rooted in purpose, working hard for our community. Our Plan outlines our path forward: one designed to enable us to flourish in a time of change, broaden impact, and strengthen our resolve to work in service of a larger goal. It will continue our work since 1699 as enlightened educationalists and innovators. 

Our strategy builds upon our successful history under Iain Kilpatrick and the Heads before him. It is centred upon an appreciation of six fundamental roles that Sidcot School plays in the life of our students, our families and wider society: 

• The Power of an Inclusive Education 
• Character, Resilience and Wellbeing 
• Passions Beyond the Classroom 
• Active Global Citizens 
• Custodians of our Past, Present and Future 
• An Aspirational Place to Work and Grow 

The plan provides a guiding star and a road map for the future of the School; it is something to which we can turn as we navigate the years ahead. The digital flipbook version of Sidcot School’s Strategic Plan 2030 is available to read here and we do hope that you enjoy reading it. 

As we implement this strategy, we are driven by a vision that reaches beyond individual success and towards collective progress. Together, we hope to create lasting change, that builds towards a world that reflects our highest ideals and brings out the best in each of us. I look forward to embarking on this journey with you, taking time to reflect, respond and adapt as needed along the way.