Talking Heads - Magus Education

on Nov 27, 2020

Eve Jardine Young is the Principal of Cheltenham Ladies’ College, an independent boarding school in Gloucestershire named South West Independent Secondary School of the Decade by the Sunday Times Schools Guide in November 2020. Eve grew up in Malawi and won a scholarship to attend CLC in the sixth form. She previously worked at various independent secondaries including Radley College and Epsom College. What brought you back to CLC? I did think quite carefully about the wisdom of applying to work at a school I had attended, and where I had been inspirationally taught. I had a healthy scepticism and was prepared to say: this is not a good idea. But what felt powerful and visceral on both occasions — coming to the college on a tour aged 16 and walking back through the door to be interviewed 25 years later– was the sense of observing a community of people who were energised and...

Talking Heads: Richard Tillett of Queen’s College London

on Nov 25, 2020

A Cambridge graduate, Richard’s teaching career has seen him work in both co-ed and single sex schools. He has been Head of Queen’s College in Marylebone since September 2017 and took up the position of overall Head of Queen’s College Prep School and Queen’s College in September 2020. What attracted you to the headship at Queen’s College? That was the first question I got in my interview for the job and I will give you the same answer I gave the Governors: ‘It is the fit.’ It felt like a school where I could both belong and make a difference. I love the size of the school; it’s small enough that I can know every child and most of the families. It is also big enough that it has huge amounts going on; dozens of music ensembles and sports teams, plays, over 70 clubs … everyone can find opportunities here. The history of the place was incredibly exciting. I’m a history and politics...

Talking Heads: Mr. Faber of Summer Fields

on May 4, 2017

Summer Fields is a full-boarding and day boys’ preparatory school in the heart of Oxford. David Faber, Headmaster since 2010, discusses his transition from the world of politics to teaching, and shares his insights into educating boys. In this interview he reveals how, having celebrated the school’s 150th anniversary, he is making plans for Summer Fields’ future. Could you tell me about your own career? What led you to transition to a career in education? After leaving Oxford I was elected as an MP in 1992, but at the 2001 election I decided that I was young enough to try my hand at something else. After writing two books on 20th century history, I was invited to lecture in a number of public schools. In many ways, I wished that this is what I had started out doing twenty years ago. You have a strong personal connection to Summer Fields, both as a former pupil and a parent. How does...

Talking Heads: King Alfred’s Robert Lobatto

on Dec 6, 2016

Robert Lobatto has been the Headmaster of King Alfred School, a progressive, child-centred, co-ed school in Golders Green, since Sept. 2015. He spent a large chunk of his career turning around struggling schools in the state sector. Tell us more about your background. I spent 25 years in the state system as a history teacher, head of humanities, deputy head and then executive head. I really enjoyed my career in the tough end of London schools: I always did well with Ofsted and managed to turn several schools around. In the last few years, however, I got very disillusioned with the state system and its disproportionate focus with progress data. The pressure meant decisions were starting to be driven by what was best for the school as opposed to what was best for the individual child. It wasn’t education as I understood it. I was mulling what to do outside of education when the King...