There have been some big changes at Marling School in the past two years, says CEO and acting Principal Duncan Cook, but change is part of today’s educational landscape and the foundations for growth and success are now even stronger than before.
Q. Please can you introduce yourself?
I’m Duncan Cook. I’m CEO of Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust – a family of schools including Marling School, Callowell Primary School, Berkeley Primary School and Cam Woodfield Junior School. I’ve been supporting and working with Marling School since joining CBAT in April 2024, and I’m excited to be continuing that relationship in my current role of Acting Principal.
Q. Your previous Principal Jules Godfrey left at the end of the last academic year. What have you done to ensure stability at the school?
I’ve had the privilege of working consistently with the staff and students at Marling School for 18 months. There are lots of wonderful, committed staff here who care deeply about the school. Many members of our leadership team are highly skilled, knowledgeable and experienced, and have been at the school for a number of years, which has provided a very strong foundation for continuity and planning for our future. The staff here are the right people.
In the face of leadership changes, I’ve prioritised high expectations for all, clear communication and consistency in decision-making. Our heads of department and teaching teams have worked collaboratively to maintain high standards in teaching and learning, and we have continued to support staff development to ensure an ambitious, stable and forward-looking environment for both students and colleagues. This has been reflected in our record-breaking GCSE results this year. Our ‘A’ Level results also recorded even stronger levels of positive ‘value-added’, which means our students made better academic progress than similar students nationally. This is great testament to the stability and consistency in the quality of education and teaching in our school.
Q. When will you be recruiting your next Principal?
Within the next academic year, we plan to appoint an excellent Principal to lead the drive forwards. However, we will not rush this – we want exactly the right person who understands Marling’s unique character and what it needs to make it a great school for the future. Until then, it is my pleasure to lead the school and provide continuity and stability for students, parents and staff.
Q. In the meantime, what is your aim as Principal?
Communication is key. We are committed to developing and enhancing our communication to parents, guardians and carers, keeping everyone in the loop about what’s happening here on the ground. We also have a shared ambition to make Marling one of the most respected grammar schools in the country. It’s the oldest secondary school in Stroud and has a proud history of serving its community with high quality education. We want to support our students to know that a Marlingtonian is not defined by achievement alone, but by character, contribution and respect for all.
I’m very aware of the responsibility that comes with the privilege of leading a school like this, especially through times of challenge. Despite the many successes and great results, the past two years haven’t always been easy. The challenging educational landscape across the country, combined with leadership changes, have brought some uncertainty, and recent decisions have been difficult for everyone to navigate.
And then there are the practical challenges. For any member of the public who’s driven, cycled or walked past the school recently, you may have noticed the roof of our historic school hall has given way. Months of relentless rain last winter finally took their toll on one of our most iconic spaces. Anyone who’s ever replaced a roof knows the cost, especially on a listed building of this size. We are continuing to work closely with the Department for Education and other partners to try and secure the necessary funding required to repair this special and important space.
Q. Given the challenges, what is the long-term strategy for Marling and CBAT schools?
I genuinely believe there’s a bright and positive future ahead for Marling and all of our CBAT schools. The past couple of years have brought change, not only in leadership but in how we think about the role of each school within a wider trust. We’ve focused on strengthening collaboration, protecting what makes each school unique, and building something stronger together.
There’s growing uncertainty about the direction of government policy on trusts and schools in general, particularly for smaller trusts or stand-alone schools. I’m not confident that schools have the resources or influence needed to navigate the future changes alone. That’s why our strategy is about security in scale, building a trust that’s resilient, well-resourced, and future-facing.
Governors and CBAT leaders are thinking long-term: how to honour our school’s identity and heritage while keeping our finger on the pulse of what great education looks like in the years ahead. That is why we’ve entered into a partnership agreement with LIFT Schools www.liftschools.org which is one of the biggest Trusts in the country.
Q. Being part of Lift Schools, how will this affect the student experience?
There’s a lot of investment coming our way and joining Lift will only enhance the student experience. Lift are at the forefront of education nationally and this will help add something unique to our schools in the local area, creating more opportunities, more support, and greater stability for staff and students across all our schools. The bigger Trusts get many additional opportunities and their reach is far wider.
Q. You said there has been a period of change for Marling – does this plan mean even more changes?
We certainly don’t want to stand still! Some changes are good – they let us adapt to innovation and progress. However, the only changes we’re going to make are strategic, positive ones to help take Marling forward. We want to make Marling the school of choice for students and teachers. But we are going to retain Marling’s proud character and identity. We’re also immensely proud of our committed and talented staff, from our excellent senior leadership team to our teachers and support staff. Marling is more than a job to so many of our staff. It is a pleasure to work with a team who care so deeply. The loyalty and dedication of the staff is a real asset.
Q. You talk a lot about pride in Marling School. What are you particularly proud of?
So many families want to send their children to Marling School and we continue to be a school of choice. Yet again, Year 7 was oversubscribed and, in a very challenging market, our 6th Form continues to be a popular choice for students.
I’m extremely proud of our students – not just their achievements, but the kind of young people they are. Our results continue to improve year on year, and on ‘A’ Level results day, it was genuinely moving to see the joy on the faces of the students taking their first step into the adult world. We support them to do that really well in our Sixth Form, both academically and personally.
The care and respect between our staff and students is also exceptional. It’s a real privilege to walk the corridors and feel the warmth, respect, and sense of community that exists here.
Beyond the classroom, there are countless opportunities for students to find their talents and follow their passions: through sport, leadership, creative arts, charity work, and wider community involvement. Our young people achieve so much, and they do it with humility and spirit.
And then there’s our staff. There’s a rare sense of solidarity and shared purpose here. That unity has carried the school, and I believe it will be the very thing that defines Marling’s future. It’s a school with deep roots, strong values, and a real sense of direction.
Q. What’s been your favourite moment so far at Marling?
One of the most special moments was welcoming all of our students back on the first day of term. Each new year brings a renewed sense of purpose and energy, and it is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect and share in the excitement of what’s to come. There’s something special about seeing the school come to life, full of possibility. Everything feels very positive at the moment. There’s a lot of optimism for the future. Myself, the senior leadership team and the staff have high ambition for the school.
Visit the school websites to find out about open events for Y7 and Y12 entry
