As they approach the end of their seven years there, the head boy and girl of The Crypt School in Gloucester, Jack and Lizzie, are looking ahead to their next steps.
Owing to the school's strong sense of community, caring support system and balance between learning, extra-curricular and wellbeing, the pair are feeling well prepared to head out on their respective paths, equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to flourish post-school.
From being supported to plot their career pathway, to giving their fellow students a voice at the head of the school's student executive, SoGlos chats to Jack and Lizzie about what life is like for students at The Crypt and why they'd recommend the school to others.
Jack and Lizzie, tell us a bit about yourselves.
Lizzie: I’ve been at Crypt for nearly seven years now and was excited to be part of the first cohort of girls who joined the school in Year 7 in 2018.
I study A-level biology, chemistry and psychology and I am hopefully going on to study medicine in September; I have had offers from Leicester and Brighton and Sussex and am aiming to go to Leicester.
I am part of the Student Executive team here at school and I am head girl but outside of school, I enjoy acting and filmmaking. I recently performed as part of Treasure Island in St Mary de Crypt Church which was a fantastic production. I am passionate about making change and have shown that throughout time at school — it is something I hope to carry that at university and in my career.
Jack: I have been at Crypt the same amount of time as Lizzie. I am studying maths, physics and biology and hope to join the RAF as a pilot; something I have wanted to do since I was little. I enjoy playing sport — mainly golf, cricket and rugby. I am head boy and also part of the Student Executive team. I feel strongly about making a positive impact on society and hope to leave a positive legacy from my time at Crypt, for current and future generations of Cryptians!
Talk us through the process of becoming head boy and head girl at The Crypt School.
Jack: You start by applying to be a prefect — a responsibility in year 12. It’s important to remember that the process begins as soon as you start in sixth form, as making a good impression and having a positive reputation with both students and staff is crucial.
Lizzie: If you then want to apply to the student executive, you complete a written application and give a presentation in front of fellow candidates, members of the current student exec and Ms Glock (head of sixth form) to demonstrate what your views are, what you want to change and what you would bring to the role.
Jack: Current student executive members then carry out interviews with candidates to ask about why they want to join and the skills they can bring to the role for example. The applicant list is then shortlisted to a handful of students who progress on to the final stage, which is being interviewed by Mr Dyer (headmaster), Ms Glock, Mrs Hargraves (deputy head pastoral) and ourselves. We are at the stage of shortlisting the candidates so we will soon know who the next Student Executive team are, including the new head boy and girl!
How would you describe life at The Crypt School for students?
Jack: I genuinely love school and really can’t imagine myself at a different school enjoying it as much. School doesn’t feel like a chore — I appreciate that on occasion others may sometimes feel the pressure of work, but that has not been my experience. I feel that Crypt has a really good balance between academic expectations and the extra-curricular and enrichment sides of school life.
Lizzie: I really saw a shift from lower school to sixth form and feel that we have all grown together a lot. I see that my friends are more mature and confident in how they are in sixth form and we all now look forward to what the next stage of our lives will bring.
How are students supported at The Crypt School, both by staff and fellow students?
Lizzie: We get termly check-ins with form tutors and we have sixth form pastoral support workers Mrs Price and Mrs Attwood to talk to if we need to — they are so approachable — alongside support from our head of year and subject teachers. I feel well supported by lots of different members of staff — even if they don’t teach me anymore. We can also access the pastoral room or balcony if we need a quiet space.
Jack: If there are issues with your school work, it’s easy to approach teachers when you are in sixth form and helps build a positive relationship. Teachers are very approachable when you ask for support and I feel that they understand that A-levels can be hard!
Lizzie: I also think students support each other. For example, we have group chats for subjects and use our independent study periods to talk to other students studying the same subjects. There are also academic enrichment opportunities to further deepen our knowledge and skills for example debating competitions and public speaking opportunities.
Jack: We also have year 12 mentors who are attached to year 7 and year 8 forms, which is good for the younger students to have an older role model. They run different activities during form times — like paper airplane competitions or Pictionary — and it helps bridge the gap between sixth form and lower school and also develop a sense of belonging.
What is it that makes The Crypt School a great place to learn and develop – what are some of its best features?
Jack: I just think they have got the balance so right. You are strongly encouraged and supported to succeed academically and teachers understand the potential of you as an individual; however, they also help nurture your extra-curricular interests. There is a good level of trust between staff and students. We have clubs and societies that cater for everyone and if we don’t, someone will create something as a lot of our clubs are student-led. There’s everything from Lego robotics, to cheerleading to waterslides club!
Lizzie: There are lots of opportunities to give feedback to the school and the teachers; the senior leadership team listens to the students and takes on board what students are saying. For example, having things like the student parliaments and having regular conversations with Ms Glock demonstrate that they take into account what students are feeding back.
How does life at The Crypt School help to prepare you for your next steps, whether that’s further education or employment?
Jack: Thinking about your career pathway, or even your choices for GCSE and A Levels is introduced to you very early on — for example, Unifrog is used from year 7 onwards and you are encouraged to keep an open mind about what potential career paths are out there; and what skills and qualities you need to be able to successfully navigate your future career.
Lizzie: Understandably during sixth form, the support is stepped up. For me, wanting to study medicine, I was supported by Ms Parkin who is our dedicated Oxbridge and competitive degree courses coordinator. I genuinely don’t think I would be where I am with my offers without Ms Parkin, as her one-to-one support was invaluable in helping me succeed.
Jack: Even though I don’t want to go to university, I still felt included and didn’t feel forced in any particular direction. I understand it’s the most popular choice but it isn’t for me and school respected that. I was still supported and not left out.
What would you say to students considering joining The Crypt School?
Jack: You will have so many opportunities to explore different interests and share your passion with other like minded students.
Lizzie: If they are considering Crypt already, they will know that the academic side of things is important — yet you can have that at any grammar school. What makes Crypt unique and different, is the positive balance between your academic studies, wellbeing and the extra-curricular opportunities combined with a really caring and supportive culture.
