Delving into key themes and insights from our community survey to illuminate the processes that shape learning at Blundell’s.
Welcome to Thoughtful Thursdays: Insights into Education at Blundell’s
New this week: The Power of a Diverse Team by Tammy Winsley.
Unlocking the Power of Diverse Thinking: Why Difference Drives Innovation and Success
What makes a truly effective team? Is it talent, experience, or sheer determination? While these factors play a role, there is one often-overlooked element that can be the key to unlocking innovation, problem-solving, and deeper engagement: cognitive diversity.
Drawing from the world of theatre, where collaboration is at the heart of creativity, this essay explores how embracing different perspectives can lead to richer ideas, better decisions, and stronger teams. Inspired by Matthew Syed’s Rebel Ideas, the piece delves into the risks of homogeneity, the science behind diverse group success, and why schools must foster environments where pupils actively seek out and engage with new ways of thinking.
If we want to prepare the next generation for an increasingly complex world, we must challenge the comfortable pull of sameness and champion the transformative power of difference.
What to Expect:
Exclusive Insights: Learn from the expertise of Blundell’s staff as they share their vision, strategies, and reflections.
Timely Topics: Stay informed about the issues shaping education today and how Blundell’s is leading the way.
Ongoing Engagement: Check back weekly for the latest updates, essays, and thought pieces that will challenge, inspire, and inform.
Each essay offers a fresh perspective on the innovative practices and philosophies that underpin Blundell’s educational approach. We invite you to bookmark this page and join us every Thursday for thoughtful insights into what makes our school a truly special place for learning and growth.
Upcoming Topics to Look Out For:
On Thursday the 23rd of January, we were delighted to welcome the internationally acclaimed composer Joanna Forbes L’Estrange to Blundell’s for an afternoon of workshops with the Senior and Prep School choirs. This year’s Spring Concert, The Seasons, includes the world premiere of A Season to Sing, a piece co-commissioned by Blundell’s.
We are delighted to share that Blundell's School has been ranked 244th in The Times' Parent Power list, a prestigious ranking based on GCSE and A-Level results.
Our position reflects the strong academic achievements of our pupils, particularly given the highly selective nature of many of the schools ranked alongside us.
The Department for Education has released its rankings for A Level progress following the final ratification of summer 2024 examination results.
We are delighted to announce that Blundell’s has secured 2nd place in Devon, narrowly being pipped to top spot by Exeter Maths School.
Blundell’s is proud to be among the top 5% of schools nationwide, earning the highest rating of “Well above average” from the Department for Education. These rankings are based on a comparison of A Level results, measuring students’ progress against peers across England who began with similar GCSE outcomes at the end of Year 11.
Chris Filbey, the new Second Master to take over from Matt Radley in September 2025. Chris is currently an Assistant Head at Epsom College where he was previously a Housemaster. Before that he was Head of Modern Languages at Haileybury. I look forward to working with Chris and we will introduce him to the wider Blundell’s community in due course.
Head Coach Kenny Murray has named a 34-player Scotland U20 squad to compete in the 2025 U20 Six Nations.
The group consists of 19 forwards and 15 backs, and will get their championship underway at home to Italy U20 on Friday 31 January at Hive Stadium.
Johnny Ventisei will captain the squad, having led the side against Wales U20 in a friendly in December.
Freddy Douglas, who won a first Scotland senior cap against Portugal in November last year, is selected as he nears a return from injury.
Blundell’s is thrilled to announce our investment in The Wellbeing Hub by Teen Tips, a comprehensive resource dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our Senior School community. With expert-led, evidence-based tools, The Wellbeing Hub will empower pupils, parents, and staff with guidance and resources to support students’ social, emotional, and educational needs. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
During this Autumn Term, our Drama Scholars delivered an impressive Autumn Showcase featuring their examination pieces. The performances spanned Restoration Comedy, Comedy of Manners, Musical Theatre, contemporary works, and original material.
The evening highlighted the scholars’ talent, creativity, and dedication, showcasing the high standard of drama at Blundell’s. We are incredibly proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing their continued growth.
House Music was a highlight of the term, with standout performances from Reuben (Old House) winning the Solo Performance Trophy and Nico (Westlake) earning Best Individual Contribution. North Close won the Ensemble Trophy, and Old House claimed both the House Song and overall titles. Pupils were praised for their energy and effort throughout the event.
An incredible experience for our pupils to sing in one of the world’s most famous churches
