What is a Winchester person?

I am delighted to be coming to Winchester College as its new Bursar in Summer 2020. I was struck immediately by Winchester's unique blend of tradition and modernity; and secondly, the passion for learning and ideas that's obvious in everyone you meet - don and student.

Following a doctorate in medieval art history at Oxford and a research post looking at the use of digital tools in museums, I am fascinated by the powerful potential of object-based learning. To observe this with a collection as diverse and remarkable as Winchester’s is really exciting.

As well as teaching English and being a Div Don, my role at Winchester involves helping those in the Sixth Form flourish and ensuring the school’s academic offering is as good as it can be. It’s exciting to work with colleagues and boys who value genuine intellectual endeavour and independence, and to teach in such historic surroundings: there aren’t many places where pupils can set their eyes on a Shakespeare first folio or follow in Keats’s footsteps while reading his poetry.

At Winchester there is such a strong sense of community. It isn't a huge school and feels almost like a home away from home. Staying indoors on a rainy day, chatting with friends, crowding around the radiator and sharing funny stories can be one of the most special experiences of your life.

The thing I like most about teaching at Winchester College is the sense of intellectual excitement here. There is always some new academic endeavour afoot in our community, whether it be the boys founding a society to pursue a common interest or the dons creating projects and publications together. At a time when it seems increasingly rare to value learning for its own sake, Winchester is a place where the love of ideas can still flourish.

Our drama ethos is in many ways a reflection of the values of the school as a whole: mass-participation is encouraged, excellence is sought and achieved, and a lot of fun is had by boys and staff alike!

I have experienced the huge benefits of learning in an institution that recognises the importance of individuals and encourages you to try different things.

When people ask what I teach, they often say ‘I don’t know much about Economics’, but it is, of course, not the case. Anyone who works, goes shopping or provides for their family – so everyone – is engaging with Economics.  

There are many different facets to boarding life, which means that dons have diverse responsibilities and environments in which they can get to know the boys.

In my time at Winchester College, I have seen lots of changes but the one thing that has not changed is that the boys love their food, appreciate trying different recipes and will soon let you know if it’s a thumbs down.

In addition to teaching Physics, Maths and Div, I also run Faith Circles, a weekly meeting of all the boys from non-Christian traditions. I’m also Master in Charge of all martial arts.  

The busy nature of life at Winchester is reflected in the music department, where each week may see several different concerts.

As Director of Studies, I monitor the progress that boys are making using their intermediate grades and exam performance (both internal and external). This analysis is then shared with the Second Master, Deputy Head Academic, Housemasters and Heads of Department so that they can best support the boys in both the pastoral and academic aspects of school life.

Historically a porter is a gatekeeper and we can normally be found at the main entrance to the school in The Porters' Lodge.  

Community Service is a journey of self-discovery.  Our boys are encouraged to work out of their comfort zone. They learn to become self-reliant in challenging situations, to engage and empathise with others, and to give unreservedly and wholeheartedly of their time and talents. 

I have found that the academic curiosity among staff and boys at Winchester is hard to replicate elsewhere, with boys actively seeking out opportunities to learn long after their working day is done.

As assistant housemaster in Du Boulay’s (Cook’s), I tend to eat most of my evening meals with the boys as well as several lunches during the week. It gives me the opportunity to catch up with them on their day, talk about things that are coming up or general conversations on unexpected topics!

I wanted to come to Winchester because I loved the range of sports - I spend most of my free time either out playing football or Fives, or socialising with friends around the house.  

Our Design Technology centre, known as Mill, is the best aspect of the entire school for me. Mill’s facilities include two 3D printers, a metalworks and welding section, a carpentry area with sanders and cutters. Not forgetting my personal favourite, the laser cutter.  

In my boarding house, the first year boys start in rooms of four. This made it easy to get to know people quickly. They swap roommates every term, so that by the end of the first year, you will have shared a room with most people in your house year.