In the first Harry Potter book, Harry needs to buy a magic wand. He goes to the magic wand
shop where the mysterious Mr. Ollivander lets him try a few, until he finds the right one.
There’s a connection between Harry and the wand which is perfect for him and him alone.
As Mr. Ollivander sagely observes, the wand chooses the wizard. I hope you get a similar
sense of connection today, that Chafyn Grove could be perfect for your child.
We are many things, but we endeavour to provide a bespoke fit for each of our pupils. We
encourage all of them to strive for excellence. We believe that challenge and high standards
are good, but we do not force the pace unnaturally or unsympathetically for any child. There
is a breadth to our provision to support its depth. Alongside the excellence of our academic
departments, we have an extra-curricular provision woven in which is second to none. The
children play chess as part of the Maths curriculum, run cross-country between Science
lessons or learn cookery after English. Our children were described in the Tatler guide as
unstoppably energetic, and we have a programme of unrivalled diversity, challenge and fun
to keep them busy.
Chafyn Grove pupils are enormously successful. They not only get into the county’s leading
schools, at either 11+ to the Grammar sector or at 13 to the likes of Marlborough,
Bryanston, Winchester or Sherborne, but thrive once they are there. This is down to the
things one cannot measure as easily as exam results, sporting success or inspection reports.
We care just as much about the ability to make and stay friends as we do about nurturing an
appetite for reading or challenge. If any of this is starting to sound like the sort of thing a
headmaster would say on an Open Day, then please enjoy a tour with one of our pupils as
guides. You’ll see that I’m not making any of this up.
If the wand chooses the wizard, then I hope in some way a school can choose its families.
Please imagine yourself in our environment today and wonder how that would feel. I hope
you feel a connection that simply feels right. You are most welcome to be here today, and
that welcome is yours to keep if you desire.
I wish you every success with finding the right school for you.
Headmaster, Chafyn Grove