Role: Appointed to teach Maths and Games but the Head of Maths reckoned I only taught games! Head of Economics for two years; Head of Drama for 12 years and Director of Cricket for 12 whilst also fitting in 12 years as a boarding master – 10 in Denton. Deputy Headmaster for 11 years. Retired as Acting Headmaster…a job I did twice.
Dates: 1978-2016
1. Where was your favourite place on campus, and why?
Easy! The 1st XI field. I have an oil painting by Jarrod Gabbitas in 1997 entitled ‘Cricket at Loughborough’ which adorns my wall at home above the TV and I had an office at the top of the Pavilion overlooking the field.
2. What did you enjoy most about your role?
The whole variety of different jobs I did in 38 years…for example I managed the Choir on its trip across America in 2000 which covered five regions of the USA from east coast to west with eight flights, a train journey, performing at eight concerts…all in two weeks!
3. Is there a standout memory from your time at the school?
I have many but will give just two.
- Coaching the U14 XV of 1981-82 which scored 1000 points (1230 today) and won the National 7’s title, something I was to repeat two years later.
- In 2016 walking across the Quad, as Headmaster, with Group Captain David Arthurton (later an Air Vice-Marshal), who at the time was in charge of the Dam Busters Squadron, to inspect the CCF whilst the Dam Busters March played. David was a boarder with with me and was in my form when he arrived in 1985.
4. Was there a particular class or year group you remember especially fondly?
I enjoyed them all but the top maths set for GCSE from 2006 to 2008 was the biggest challenge. They were really bright and I decided that for four terms I would not teach anything on the syllabus but just ‘beautiful maths’, mostly at degree level!! We only shifted to the syllabus after mocks! I have never had to spend so much time preparing lessons…normally I did it as I walked through the door looking at the textbook!
5. What is one thing about your role that most people wouldn’t know?
In one week I turned down Head of Maths at Oakham, Framlingham College and Dulwich College….after that staying at LGS was obvious!!!
6. What was your favourite school lunch?
I don’t know about food but I am almost certain that I have drunk more alcohol at the School than anyone else in 531 years!!!
7. How do you like to spend your time now? What have you been up to since leaving the school??
As you know I work with Development and do the archives – where I have researched and written over 30 publications in the last 10 years which has meant me working a lot with local heritage groups. For the last 6 years I have been Director of Cricket at Loughborough Town CC – coaching U11 & U13’s last year and attending 120+ games. I have retired from that…I can’t bend down to retrieve the ball…and for the next 3 years am National Chairman of England Schools’ Cricket Association – to complete 50 years in Schoolboys’ Cricket.
8. Is there anything else you’d like to share about your time here?
In my letter to parents when I retired ten years ago I wrote this: –
‘To me there is no more exciting environment to be in than in a boys’ school, especially at break and at lunch time. As I wander round the school it is fundamentally no different from the school I experienced or LGS when I first started – except that the boys are smarter! They are still playing ball games everywhere, chasing each other, ‘play fighting’, pushing each other in queues, kicking each other whilst waiting outside for lessons – ‘The Wild Boys’ is how I like to describe them and they are just a delight to observe! It is actually an equally exciting experience to observe them in the classroom, where they are definitely more civilised but also questioning, competitive and keen to further their knowledge.’
That summed up 38 wonderful years at the School.
