I was a distinctly average student during my school years and I have to admit that I did not particularly enjoy my educational experience. Until I was taught by someone that I could identify with and look up to. My experience of learning mathematics had consisted of large amounts of copying things into my book from the board and then trying to memorise largely unexplained algorithms and spurious rhymes (cross the sign, change the sign etc). However, when I was taught mechanics at A and Further Maths level by ‘Coxie’, I began to understand what I was actually trying to do and how it all pieces together. Mr Cox, aka ‘Coxie’, was an ex Royal Navy officer with a flash sports car and some awesome banter, he was a hero to most of us boys for these things alone; but it was his no nonsense approach to mathematics (cut out the BS, as he would say) that struck a chord with me, He simplified everything and related it to what we had learnt earlier, so progress was obvious and understandable. He was incredibly patient, gave of his time freely and genuinely cared about his pupils. He also had a very balanced view of teaching and would genuinely enjoy some of the pranks we played on him while at the same time working us hard. An absolute allrounder that made learning pleasurable and enabled us to reach our potential.

I am most proud of giving our students and staff a very genuine ‘voice’. Even though our student council is still in its early stages those involved are already producing some exciting ideas of how we can move the school forward. Also after having one to ones with all the staff have a long list of ideas and suggestions that are surprising in their simplicity and how much of an impact they would have on the school. I have used Surveys and suggestion boxes (physical or on a computer) before but nothing has produced the amazing result I have seen from the one to ones. Watch this space!

I want every person leaving Kings Oxford to be prepared for life in the 21st century.

And why?

We are living in times of great change. We are seeing traditional jobs disappearing and new jobs and work opportunities appearing in unpredictable ways. We need to be enabling our students not only to cope with this uncertainty but to flourish. They need the resilience and wellbeing to seek their own successful path in life and to be happy. It is in preparing our students for this that we do them the best possible service.

It is the love of learning, combined with the understanding and appreciation of different cultures. As a global citizen, treating others as they would themselves like to be treated. 

Caring, Inclusive, Ambitious, Exciting, Personalised