The Headmaster

Peter Trythall BA
I enjoyed an all round education at The Kings’ School Canterbury where I learned the value of a mixed and full curriculum. I then went to Stirling University and completed a degree in History and Politics. Having always wanted to join the Army I underwent officer training at Sandhurst and joined The Light Infantry in 1983. After nine years serving with the Light Infantry a knee injury meant a career change was necessary. I always enjoyed the managerial, instructional and pastoral aspects of soldiering and this led me to join the teaching profession. I taught for eight years at Cheltenham College and immersed myself into the busy life of the school. I taught History and Politics, was Housemaster of a large day house, coached the 1^st XV and was in charge of the CCF. I then moved up to Gordonstoun, Scotland, with the family, to run Round Square boarding house. Here, I developed a deep respect for the holistic vision of the school, which enables young people to grow in confidence and achieve through access to a very wide and diverse curriculum. Success outside the classroom, whether it be on the mountains, on a sports pitch or on the stage, helps to build confidence within the classroom. From the North East of Scotland, I moved to the South West of England to the caring and inclusive environs of the Bolitho School. As Head of an International Sixth Form studying the International Baccalaureate and as Head of Boarding, I enjoyed the challenges of being part of the Senior Management Team in a school with a caring, yet outward looking ethos. I have a personal interest in special needs provision and am very much looking forward to leading Stanbridge Earls School over the coming years.

My wife, Beth, is also a teacher. She teaches GCSE English and the International Baccalaureate and has always been fully supportive of me, entertaining and welcoming pupils, parents and colleagues in the school communities we have been a part of. We have four children: William (20) Josephine (18) Timothy (15) and Amelia (12).

Head For A Day

Every December pupils vote for their 'Pupil Head for a Day'. Each House puts forward its candidate based on his or her manifesto. A week later the whole School gathers in the theatre to listen to the four selected candidates followed by a voting session.

This year's 'Head for a Day' promised a lie-in 'till 10.30 followed by Brunch. He then interviewed a prospective pupil and parents, co-signed some of the more mundane paperwork and addressed the staff on their new duties at break-time.

The rest of the day was filled with fun, huge inflatable play areas, DVDs, computer games and throwing cold sponges at teachers for charity.

Thank goodness it happens only once a year!

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THE HEADMASTER