Yesterday, Monday 21 September 2026 saw us officially open our new Harmony Hub, a purpose-built outdoor learning space designed to help pupils connect their learning with nature, sustainability and the world around them.
This term we are delighted to welcome Caroline Davy to St. Edmund’s as our new Director of Music.
St. Edmund’s School has welcomed the UK Government’s announcement of new legislation introducing restrictions on social media access for under-16s, describing it as an important step towards creating a safer digital environment for young people.
Before half term, our Lower Prep pupils in Forms 3 and 4 delighted audiences with a wonderful performance of Winnie the Pooh KIDS. Bringing A.A. Milne’s much-loved literary classic to life on stage, the pupils performed with enthusiasm, confidence and plenty of charm.
Last week our Form 10 GCSE Drama and Music pupils travelled to London for a day exploring some of the capital’s most famous theatres and performances.
Review from National School Theatre Awards on our recent Senior production of West Side Story.
Something remarkable happens when young people sing together. A sense of unity forms, confidence grows, and a shared purpose takes shape in the sound they create. At St Edmund’s School, this transformation is seen every day across our five choirs: The Probationers, Chapel Choir, Show Choir, Vicars Choral, and Voces Volantes. Each ensemble is unique, yet all of them contribute to a vibrant musical culture that nurtures talent from the earliest stages through to advanced young musicianship.
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Public speaking plays a central role in life at St. Edmund’s, beginning in the early years and continuing right through to GCSE and beyond. From the moment our youngest pupils find their voices, we encourage them to express themselves with confidence, clarity and creativity.
Pupils are given regular opportunities to speak in front of others, whether through class presentations, assemblies performed for parents, or taking to the stage in our larger drama productions and showcases. These experiences help pupils develop self-belief, presence and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences.
Many of our pupils also choose to take LAMDA lessons, which further strengthen their confidence and performance skills. These sessions help to refine articulation, expression and presentation, while also nurturing creativity and resilience which are skills that benefit pupils far beyond the classroom.
In the Prep School, all pupils participate in our structured public speaking programme, which is built around three strands: poetry recitation, declamation and debating. These activities culminate in friendly competitions that encourage pupils to challenge themselves in a supportive environment. The emphasis is not only on performance, but on building confidence, listening skills and the ability to think on one’s feet.
Johanna Record, Head of English in our Prep School comments: “Through positive experience and practice, we aim to take the fear out of public speaking so that our pupils can address a room confidently in their adult lives. We want them to feel able to go for top roles in their careers, to be comfortable in social situations and to be able to make their voice heard.”
These competitions provide an excellent platform for pupils to practise and refine their public speaking abilities. Presenting to an audience helps them develop poise, persuasive communication and the confidence to share ideas clearly and thoughtfully.
Senior pupils often have speakers and workshops around public speaking, Ben Bellack, Head of English Senior School comments:
“Public speaking is not simply about performance; it is about learning to think clearly, speak with purpose and engage thoughtfully with others. Through workshops, visiting speakers and opportunities to present and debate, our senior pupils develop the confidence to articulate their ideas and challenge perspectives with maturity. These are vital skills, not only for examinations and further education, but for leadership and life beyond school.”
Alongside pupil development, our teaching staff recently undertook valuable training during our start-of-term INSET, with a focus on artificial intelligence, St Edmund’s digital strategy and the evolving role of AI in education. As the format of examinations and coursework continues to change with the advances in AI, oral communication skills are set to become more important than ever.
By placing such strong emphasis on public speaking and communication, we are equipping our pupils with essential skills for the future: skills that will serve them in further education, careers and life beyond school. This is all part of our commitment to providing an Education for a Lifetime.
The Great Escape has been a much-loved tradition at St Edmund’s for as long as most can remember. It is truly part of the St Edmund’s culture: good, wholesome fun that brings pupils together for outdoor adventure across the school grounds, filled with teamwork, laughter, camaraderie and the occasional forfeit in the ‘cooler,’ all rounded off with a well-earned feast in the school dining hall. Pupils from Form 3 through to Form 11 take part, and when Old St Edmund’s (OSE) are asked about their fondest school memories, the Great Escape is invariably mentioned.
We are delighted to welcome Peter Beard as the new Director of Sport at St. Edmund’s. Peter joined the school in September at the start of this academic year and now leads sport across the whole school.
We caught up with Peter to find out more about his background, experience, and his vision for sport at St Edmund’s moving forward.
We are a vibrant, nurturing, and forward-thinking school where the co-educational experience is not simply offered, it is championed.