West Lodge School in Sidcup, a small co-ed for 3 to 11 year-olds, was described as ‘excellent ’ by the Independent Schools Inspectorate in a report last year. Alistair Lexden went to see for himself on 4 July. He found a school in which young girls and boys were working and playing hard very successfully and with obvious enjoyment in an immensely convivial environment.
The head, Susan Webb, and her colleagues on the teaching staff, clearly felt great pride in their pupils’ achievements—and justifiably so—backed by appreciative parents who came to the prize-giving ceremony in large numbers. Head pupils of the year spoke clearly and well about their duties. Enthusiastic young musicians entertained us. Five very fluent pupils testified eloquently to the success of the school’s public speaking classes.
Before presenting certificates, books, cups and shields to the year’s prize-winners, Alistair Lexden congratulated all parts of this thriving school community—parents, teachers and pupils—on the way in which the foundations of academic and sporting success were being laid in the early years of schooling at West Lodge.
The occasion was rounded off by a performance of the Gloria and Sanctus from Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass.