Dates: 1988-2005
Role: I joined LGS staff in September 1988 as a Geography teacher under the inspirational leadership of David Evans. Shortly after my arrival I became the School’s Press Officer and spent much time ensuring that we had regular newsfeeds in the Loughborough Echo and Leicester Mercury. I became Head of Year 9 in 1992 which included 13+ recruitment and Prep School liaison which enabled me to visit many local schools and give talks about LGS expeditions (more about those later) as a promotional tool! I took on the role Director of Extra-Curricular Activities in 1997 before becoming Head of Geography in 1999 and then Head of Sixth Form from 2003 to 2005 when I left LGS to become Vice-Principal Pastoral at the newly opened Welbeck Defence 6th Form College in Woodhouse.
1. Where was your favourite place on campus, and why?
I always enjoyed the Staff Common Room at morning break time, especially on Wednesdays when cakes or biscuits were on offer as a treat for attending the staff briefing from the Headmasters (Neville Ireland or Paul Fisher during my time). There was a wonderful sense of community amongst the staff and we could share our experiences or seek support if needed from our colleagues. There was always a close bond between my Geography colleagues and I fondly remember our departmental meetings in N4 under David Evans or Mike Jennings.
2. What did you enjoy most about your role?
The boys were always a pleasure to teach, whether it be in the classroom, on the water in a kayak/canoe or up in the mountains on CCF Adventure Training or School expeditions. Also, looking back I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to take on a range of responsibilities over my time at the school which not only gave me fresh challenges but also enabled me to broaden my experience as a teacher.
3. Is there a standout memory from your time at the school?
It has to be the many expeditions which I helped lead or organise to beautiful places including Iceland (1989), Nepal’s Everest region (1993), Pakistan’s Karakoram mountains (1995), Pakistan’s Hindu Kush mountains (1997), North-east Greenland (2002), the Indian Himalayan Ladakh Expedition (1999) and Morocco’s Atlas mountains (2004). Our Nepal ’93 group will never forget meeting Sir Edmund Hillary and the surviving members of the 1953 Everest team on our Nepal trek, which coincided with the 40th Anniversary of their first ascent. We presented the educational and medical supplies we had raised money for to Sir Edmund Hillary’s Himalayan Trust and then delivered them to Khumjung School and Kunde Hospital. All of our mountaineering expeditions involved supporting charities or local community projects which made them even more rewarding. It’s also amazing to think that we climbed up to the summit of Stok Kangri (6,153m) on the Ladakh 2000 expedition. Well done boys!
4. Was there a particular class or year group you remember especially fondly?
All of the classes or year groups were a pleasure to teach or manage. Of course there were some challenges, but boys will be boys (if you’re allowed to say that these days?) and they added to the rewards of the job when these were overcome.
5. What is one thing about your role that most people wouldn’t know?
Thursday Club! Some of my colleagues regularly met up in a local pub on a Thursday evening for a pint. The numbers dwindled over time, but JSW and I maintained that tradition even after I’d left LGS and moved to Welbeck DSFC. It was my weekly escape from my residential role there! We maintained that until my move to the Lake District in July 2025. That’s 37 years of Thursday Club!
6. What was your favourite school lunch?
Fish and chip Fridays! The school lunches were always superb as were the Burton and Christmas lunches which were always welcome end of term treats. A huge thank you must go to Margaret Wood (bless her) and her brilliant team.
7. How do you like to spend your time now? What have you been up to since leaving the school?
Having recently moved to the Lake District I get out every day to pedal, paddle or walk on the fells. My wife and I enjoy cycle touring too. I am getting back into helping to lead sea and river kayaking trips with Cumbrian Canoeists and Lakeland Canoe Club. I’m also getting into mountain biking which is a new challenge for me.
8. Have you returned to the school or stayed connected since you left?
Since leaving LGS I’ve attended many Prize Giving celebrations, CCF Annual Inspections and helped with many Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions. I also keep in touch with LSF news via my wife Sue who taught at Fairfield and through my children Lucy, William and Ben who also have such fond memories of their time in the schools. I keep in touch with former colleagues at the Burton Walkers’ lunches which are meticulously organised by JSW – thank you John!
9. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your time here?
I could write so much more but I think I’ve exceeded the word limit! Thank you so much LGS!
Leave a Reply