As I write, I’m in Brighton attending a three-day Heads’ conference. I cannot help but see a stick of Brighton rock as a wonderful analogy for high-quality education because the core qualities run
all the way through our school community, just like the name embedded within the sticky Sussex sweet.

A truly excellent school has consistent values and a core ethos that are present in every aspect of its operation, from the vision from the study, to the daily interactions in the classroom. Just as the name Brighton is visible no matter where you snap the rock, our school's commitment to academic rigour,
personal development and pupil wellbeing is evident at every level. It's not just a surface-level promise but a fundamental part of our school's identity. This ensures that every pupil, regardless of their year group or ability, receives a consistent and ultimately priceless education.

Schools like ours, that truly add value, are like the sticks of Brighton rock, having a fundamental quality that makes them a best choice from beginning to end and throughout. Conversely, a school
that's just veneer with little substance is perhaps just a sugary shell with little to it. Beware of imitations.

Craig McCarthy
Headmaster