I attended Bournemouth Grammar School between the ages of 13 and 18, whereupon I went to the University of Southampton after taking a gap year working in Sainsbury’s (where I rose to the position of stacker of pet foods, a position I held with great pride!)
I spent 7 years at Southampton: 3 years as an undergraduate, 3 years as a post-graduate and a single year doing a PGCE. I received a First Class Honours degree in Geography (BSc) in 1975.
I came to Winchester College in 1979 where I have remained ever since. I took a Diploma (Dyslexia Institute Post Graduate Diploma in Dyslexia and Literacy, Specialist Education) in 1996 to allow me to develop the much-needed provision of specialist help for students with specific learning problems. This included inset training for staff, which I still undertake.
I am currently Head of Junior Part in Winchester College (therefore running a department of nine staff who teach a combination of English, History, Religious Studies and PSHE). I am also Head of Learning Support (consisting of myself and two part-time specialist teachers).