Taking on a headship at the start of a pandemic is one thing, but combining this with the celebration of Rye’s 90th birthday brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘big shoes to fill’, writes headteacher Jo Croft.
While some may quake at the idea of the work ahead and the challenges of leadership in a Covid-changing world, I delight in the opportunity to share the successes of Rye and to set the school on an exciting journey towards its centenary.
Founded by Elizabeth Rendall, an English scholar at Oxford, and Ivy King, in 1930 the purpose of Rye was to educate children not just in the purest academic sense, but to give them confidence and opportunity to find their own gifts and talents and to discover themselves. While the model has evolved over the years, Rye’s mission and aims have never changed.
In our 90th year, our focus is on challenging pupils to be the best they can. Many girls achieve three or four As or A*s at A Level after a string of 9s and 8s at GCSE, others may pursue Art foundation having nurtured their talent in the lively art department where they can try their hand at photography, design, graphics, textiles, pottery as well as the more unusual reed making.
Whatever the talent or interest, there is an opportunity here. Rye’s purposefully small community allows for flexibility and adaptability for all, and ensures there is room for every pupil to be challenged, and supported through their years.
Through enrichment opportunities, which include Forest School, Greenpower electric car building and, of course, racing, and trampolining, Rye’s pupils are challenged to find their own passions and given confidence to have faith in their skills, their friends, and themselves.
Rye’s renowned pastoral care complements the academic rigour, enabling pupils to achieve higher grades and secure places at prestigious universities. In a world where mental health is of increasing importance, Rye’s mantra of ‘be well, do well’ ensures our core foundation for mental and physical health is central to enabling the success of our pupils.
While the shoes of Rye’s foundresses are big to fill, those of our alumnae are bigger! I am excited to see our pupils go on to be the next Oscar winning directors, barristers, actors, artists, museum curators, surgeons and farmers in our alumnae community. It is not about the shoe, it is about how you wear it and what you do while wearing it.
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