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Leaving the Hall a Little Taller
The Cambrian Learning Trust’s Platinum Primary Character and Citizenship Awards Presentation Evening11 June 2026The Beacon, Wantage This evening I had the immense pleasure of attending The Cambrian Learning Trust’s Platinum Primary Character and Citizenship Awards Presentation Evening at The Beacon in Wantage. I was there in my role as a Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, which…
Homework and other teenage stresses
The London Times this morning is reporting that the headmistress of Cheltenham Ladies’ College, one of the UK’s most prestigious private schools, is considering getting rid of homework. Eve Jardine-Young, principal of the 162-year old school, where 92% of the GCSE were grades A* or A last year, has described ‘prep’ as Victorian, and…
A new hat
I was honoured this week to receive an Honorary Doctorate in Social Science from the University of Bolton. As one friend commented – “Dressing up and a show; perfect way to celebrate, John!” It wasn’t quite the normal show of a graduation ceremony that you’d expect to see. Covid rather put paid to that… Instead,…
Christopher – and why we teach.
His name was Christopher. He was in my Y6 class in 1987, back when we called them 4th year juniors. He was attention seeking, usually using poor behaviour to get it, often grubby and his clothes often smelt of stale cigarette smoke from the flat in which he lived at the top of the tower…
I love my job…
People often say to me that I must have one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. They’re right. Today I began work by explaining how young people around the world are helping to deliver the UN’s sustainable development goals through the support of organisations like my own. This was in a breakfast meeting…
