The Headteachers Blog Burfordian Issue 2

The Headteachers Blog was first published in the Burfordian Issue 2

Global Perspectives, Shared Values: What Makes Burford Special

At Burford, we are continually reminded of the power of education — not just through lessons, but through the people who join our community. Each year, our Boarding House (particularly at Sixth Form) welcomes students from many different parts of the world. They bring with them a rich variety of experiences, perspectives, and prior learning, often through qualifications quite different from GCSEs.

This diversity is a gift. It broadens our horizons and challenges us to see the world through many lenses. It reminds us that education cannot be reduced to a set of examinations alone. While academic rigour is important — and indeed, at Burford, we continue on an upward trajectory — the true strength of education lies in its values. It is about helping young people to become thoughtful individuals who can reflect, regulate their own learning, and make wise decisions in the context of their own lives.

Everyone’s journey is different, and that difference is something to celebrate. By learning alongside peers who have followed varied pathways, our students grow in empathy, adaptability, and appreciation of what it means to be part of a global community.

It is this spirit of openness and reflection that makes Burford special. The presence of students from across the world constantly challenges us to think about the purpose of what we do each day — not only to achieve examination success, but to nurture individuals ready to flourish in an ever-changing world.

It is, to coin a phrase, about respecting, participating with, and reaching out to the wider world.