About me

Pangbourne College is my 4th Headship. I spent the previous decade as a Head in London, working for a large Multi-Academy Trust. The focus of my work was on ensuring all students, irrespective of background or circumstance, had access to a broad and engaging school experience that provided them with the currency to live a life of choice and opportunity. 
My work on curriculum; teacher effectiveness and development; assessment; and SEND provision has been published internationally and I am routinely asked to contribute to events and publications. I sit on the Board of a successful Multi-Academy Trust and Chair their Education and Outcomes Committee and am a Governor for an Independent Prep School and Senior School. 
Outside education, my time is largely devoted to my family and my other passion of climbing. I was introduced to climbing whilst a student at Uppingham School and it has turned into a lifelong obsession. 

Why do I love teaching?

Before being a Head I was a History teacher. I love History as it is fundamentally a disciplinary conversation about knowing our world and therefore inducting us into the intellectual habits of Humankind. Without a knowledge of the past and the disciplinary rules of the subject we risk being at the mercy of dogma and mistruth. History is our best weapon against being dragged down by these. 

My other roles at Pangbourne are:

Parent

If I hadn't been a teacher I would have been...

An international mountain guide

My role model is...

I was brought up on the heroic mountain exploits of Bonington, Scott, Buhl, Messner, Herzog and countless others. Their unrelenting pursuit of a dream, however ephemeral, alongside their selfless devotion to a team inspired me then and continues to inspire me today.

I would describe Pangbourne as... 

The best kept secret in the Independent Sector. The most glorious school in the most glorious setting.