Open Day - October 2007

Date: Tuesday 16 October 2007

This most important event in the school year took place last Saturday, October 13th, and in the estimation of Headmaster Jeremy Gladwin, 'it was the best Open Day yet.'

For anyone involved with the planning and execution of an Open Day, there are always doubts about how successful the day may be.

As it transpired, any worries proved groundless as more families than ever before - superbly directed by copious AA signs in the Canterbury area - found the campus, and a typically warm St Edmund's welcome,on a glorious autumn morning, more typical of May than October.

It was great to see so many families looking for places at all levels of the school: nursery, 7+, 11+, 13+, and 16+. It was great to see former pupils like Jay Jeary and Steve Ijewere bringing their offspring to their old haunts. It was great to see Kent cricketer Martin Saggers bringing his two-year old to look at the Nursery. It was great to see current and former parents, and members of staff, and governors of the School on guided tours.

As ever, every department pulled out all the stops. Invidious it may be to 'name names', but Design Technology could show off its new machinery - and nearly trigger the smoke alarms; Physics had a range of new experiments on the go; notice-boards were smart and updated; Brian Reddington's 'normal' Saturday lunch showed off catering in the best light; I could go on almost ad infinitum.

The pride of the day were however, our pupils. Wherever they were on display, they were admirable: carparkers - polite, courteous, and welcoming; prefects - warm, but not over-effusive; tour-guides - patient, responsive, and knowledgeable; and, department assistants - intelligent, co-operative, and again, welcoming.

Ultimately, many thanks to organisers Catriona Campbell and Chris Barnard, and to all who put their all into the day. I hope that the visitors' questionnaires, when analysed, will suggest strong approval of, and genuine interest in, what St Edmund's stands for.