Shrewsbury's Class of 2026

“𝘎𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴.” Henry David Thoreau

Today marked an academic milestone and rite of passage for Shrewsbury’s Upper Sixth, as they enjoyed their last day of lessons. Amidst the reminiscences of the past few years, full of memories and moments, it offered a chance for reflection.

Schools quite rightly celebrate results and destinations but days like this remind me of the importance of the quiet development that happens continually, as well as that we are a community far more than an institution. As happens in all good communities, these 196 glorious humans have been shaped along the way by countless others:

  • Their teachers have challenged them to think more broadly and to spread their intellectual wings.
  • Their coaches have pushed them to look beyond themselves and find that extra bit of energy when they thought it was done.
  • Their tutors have supported them in making the right choices and decisions, offering a guiding hand when it was needed.
  • Their Housemasters and Housemistresses have known them better than themselves at times, providing reassurance, stability and unstinting support at all times of day and night.
  • Their friends and family are those who know them best and who have walked every step with them, sharing in their successes and disappointments.

To me, it is apposite that a Salopian tradition is that the Upper Sixth don the uniforms of their former schools on their last day of lessons, in a ring composition of which an epic poet would be proud. Though potentially now slightly on the snug side, they act as a reminder of the sparks ignited at those places; our pride is theirs too.

Some say that the Sixth Form acts as preparation for life; to me, it is life: exciting, messy, funny, demanding, occasionally exhausting but deeply formative. The class of 2026 have navigated it with warmth, humour and integrity, forging links that will last a lifetime.

It has been a privilege and pleasure to share in their journey over the past two years and to see them ready for the next adventure (after a few exams), as they shift to being the newest members of The Salopian Club. They are a tremendous bunch, with the world at their feet. Go well.

Head of Sixth Form and Higher Education, Mr Toby Percival