First thoughts from our new Head, Sally Moulton
I have recently joined SCS as Head and am looking forward to many years’ tenure here. I have a strong track record of success in school leadership and was so drawn to the values that underpin daily life in this school. It is, without a doubt, an outstanding school that provides children with high quality teaching across a broad and balanced curriculum so that our pupils have opportunities to push at plenty of doors and explore their aptitude for what lies before them. We offer a huge variety of opportunities for children and cater for all family needs; whether that is a day place, flexi-boarding or the full boarding experience in our magical ‘home from home’ Old School House boarding accommodation. When I see the gorgeous experiences our pupils have here, I wish I had been a child at SCS when I was at school!
It is important to say that SCS is not just for choristers or those who have grown in Christian faith. We are enormously proud that our choristers form a centrally important part of our school and that Christian values sit at the heart of our work. However, we are a school full of individuals with different beliefs, and different and varied abilities. We have an outstanding track record of academic success; our pupils are constantly racing around playing competitive sport, designing the next computer program, treading the boards in school plays and enjoying a huge array of co-curricular options.
It is our privilege is to prepare children – for the next stages of their education, and ultimately for life. I want all the children for whom I have responsibility to develop an avid curiosity in their learning: this is educational elixir; curiosity creates further curiosity and ultimately develops aspiration for life itself.
I believe the culture of a school is crucial; it is what surrounds a child as they grow. In order for children to become curious learners, critical thinkers, determined sports players, expressive and able musicians, confident and creative performers, aspirational, resilient and compassionate young people, we have to create an environment in which they feel secure, they feel known and cared for; where they are nurtured so they can grow in confidence, and one where we push them, no matter where their starting point – so they are reaching just beyond where they can grasp. This is where the love of that gritty grapple with challenge appears and the determination to achieve is born. The creation of this culture also facilitates the growth of their humanity – their understanding of and contribution to community, their development of compassion for others, their acceptance of the need for self-accountability when mistakes and errors of judgement are made and their dignity in accepting responsibility for their actions.
I am passionate about the education of young people. Done well, education elevates and transforms – and I believe Salisbury Cathedral School does it well. My absolute commitment is to ensure we continue to offer excellence in education, and develop our provision in every area so that our pupils are ready to take flight into life equipped with the best possible skills and personal qualities.
Every day is an Open Day, so please come and see us!
Sally Moulton
Head
