Welcome to Great Marlow, this flourishing school is dedicated to helping every child reach their full potential.
Our motto, on show every day, showcases our commitment to create opportunities for every child, support them to release their potential and enable them to achieve excellence. We strive to work effectively with our students, parents, carers and the wider local community. Our vision is to offer a high-quality learning environment, so that our students are inspired to be compassionate, successful, and resilient contributors to a better society.
Importantly, we have created a kind and purposeful educational environment for all: one where both students and staff are encouraged to demonstrate the ability to be empathetic.
Our curriculum is broad, balanced and offers a wide range of options at GCSE and in the Sixth Form, including A-levels, T-levels and BTECs. The richness of our curriculum is delivered through high quality teaching and learning. In lessons, students develop a depth of knowledge, understanding and critical thinking skills that are essential for academic success and prepares them for their career or further education. All students experience the highest level of care and guidance to support their personal and academic development, and this is attributable to the commitment and dedication of the staff: their professionalism and dedication is the essential ingredient that ensures every student makes exceptional progress. As a result, the examination results across all subject areas are ones staff and students are rightly proud of.
There is a vibrant positivity in Great Marlow School. Visitors inevitably comment on the fantastic atmosphere
Alongside our academic programme are many richly enhancing extra-curricular activities, which offer opportunities to every student: visits, trips, theatre outings, sports, drama productions, music recitals, Duke of Edinburgh, business enterprise opportunities and being part of the eco-movement. All these activities enrich our students by engaging them in life-skill opportunities beyond the classroom.
Central to developing life-long skills is the ‘My Personal Best’ programme. Six qualities are the focus of everything we do, known as the 6 Rs: respect, readiness, reflection, responsibility, resourcefulness and resilience. Every aspect of school life is attuned to these skills and has proved to be an extremely successful mantra. The 7th R, namely reading, is positively impacting on vocabulary acquisition and use of language both verbally and written.
Over the past 12 years an extensive building programme has taken place, which has significantly enlarged and improved GMS’s facilities, including a dedicated sports facility, named after alumni Sir Steve Redgrave; specially designed provision for the Sixth Form; a performing arts centre; new classrooms; better dining facilities, including better outside seating areas; and improved security fencing and gates. All these modern facilities have been specifically designed to enhance, enrich and make safe our flourishing school. Consequently, GMS is thriving; we are an over-subscribed school of choice, with over 1,400 students, aged 11-19.
Our vision is to offer a high-quality learning environment, so that our students are inspired to be compassionate, successful, and resilient contributors to a better society
Great Marlow prides itself on being an integral part of the local community. Our governors are a dedicated, highly qualified, professional team, who work extremely effectively with the leadership team to ensure continuing success. Now that GMS is part of a Multi-Academy Trust, with Mr Kevin Ford as the Marlow Education Trust’s CEO, our partnership, influence and scope in Marlow has been strengthened. It is an exciting venture and promises to benefit all the schools.
There is a vibrant positivity in Great Marlow School. Visitors inevitably comment on the fantastic atmosphere that permeates the school: conversations, smiles and clear pleasure stands alongside purpose and commitment.
I am extremely proud and consider it a privilege to be the Headteacher of Great Marlow. I am committed to working with staff, students, parents, carers and the wider community to guide it successfully towards the next decade.
Mr G Pendlebury
Headteacher