Head's Welcome

Welcome to Godstowe. I am delighted to have the privilege of leading this remarkable school.

I realise, of course, that “delighted” and “privileged” are exactly the words every new Head is supposed to use. But in this case, they happen to be true. I have been part of this community for a while now, standing at the school gate in the morning, navigating the eternal mystery of where the coffee has gone, and learning the names of as many children as I possibly can before they inevitably know mine better than I know theirs. (Occasionally, I also try to persuade anyone willing to listen that a staff rugby match or a cricket game is a splendid idea. The response so far has been… polite.)

So this welcome is not from a stranger. It is from someone who has seen the very best of Godstowe: the kindness of our pupils, the dedication of our staff, and the extraordinary energy that makes this school feel like nowhere else. Whether you have been part of the Godstowe family for years or are discovering us for the first time today, I am glad you are here.

We celebrated our 125th anniversary in 2025. That kind of milestone is not just about looking back - it is about recognising what has endured. And what has endured at Godstowe is a simple but powerful belief: that children thrive when they are happy, confident, and genuinely known. We still believe that. I still believe that.

Today, Godstowe is a thriving day and boarding school for children from 9 months to 13 years. Our Nursery is growing. The Godstowe Compass, our skills based curriculum, is helping children learn not just what to think, but how to think.

Of course, you cannot capture a school in a paragraph. The best way to understand Godstowe is to visit: to watch a lacrosse match on a damp Wednesday afternoon, to hear a Year 2 child explain their science experiment with absolute authority, or to see a boarder teaching their friends a game from home in the common room.

That is the real Godstowe, not the one on paper, but the one that happens every day between 8.30am and 6pm (and often quite a bit later in the boarding house).

So please, come and see us. Walk through our twelve acres of Chilterns parkland. Meet our staff, who are, genuinely, exceptional. And ask our pupils what they think. They will tell you the truth. That is one of the many things I admire about them.

Until then, welcome. It is a privilege to be here—and I mean that.

Jack Davidson

Head