Prior to taking up my post as Headmaster of The Cedars School this September, I was Head of Sixth Form at St Bede’s College, Manchester, for two years and a member of the Senior Leadership Team. At St Bede’s, I worked to develop a culture of academic curiosity and independent learning in the Sixth Form and improved recruitment and retention. Before this, I was a Head of Year and head of PSHE at Manchester High School for Girls.
My subject is English Literature; I hold Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Kent as well as the PGCE from Cambridge. My academic interests include the late Victorian novel, the poet- ics of Dostoevsky, the early Romantics and Christopher Marlowe. I have taught English for 26 years and have been Head of English in three independent schools. I do not currently teach English lessons at The Cedars, but I use my skills to prepare and deliver thought-provoking assemblies and provide enrichment opportunities to assist with the development of student oracy and critical thinking.
I was attracted by the school’s mission to help students to acquire the moral, intellectual and social virtues essential for a happy and fulfilling life, and to give glory to God through the pursuit of excellence.
The school’s vision is that every Cedars boy grows into a fine young man, fulfilling his academic potential and also acquiring the qualities that will serve him and the wider community well in later life. We believe (in the words of St John Henry Newman) that God has created us “to do Him some definite service”.
The school chapel is always open and boys have regular interaction with our school chaplain. We are proud of our Catholic ethos: there is opportunity for daily Mass and daily prayer, while character formation is guided through the tutorial system.
The personalised tutorial system makes The Cedars a truly unique school for boys in the United Kingdom. Through the fortnightly meeting between tutor and tutee, a strong partnership is fostered with the aim that the young man reaches his full potential in every area of his life. A strong and well-established connection between a boy’s parents and his tutor, enables the school to fully support parents as prime educators of their child.
Pupils find opportunities for enrichment through the Eudaimonia Programme and the Co-Curricular Programme. The Eudaimonia programme seeks to enhance boys’ cultural literacy by encouraging them to explore big ideas in science, mathematics, philosophy, art, literature and much more. The Co-Curricular programme provides many opportunities for boys to participate in and excel at sport, music, drama and the arts, debating and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
Admission to The Cedars School is by entrance examination and interview. Boys may apply for admission in Year 7, Year 9 and the Sixth Form. Academic scholarships are available, as are scholarships for music, sport and the arts. There is also a bursary scheme.
Mass is celebrated in the school chapel every day and boys and staff are welcome to attend on a voluntary basis. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is made available frequently.
In the one-to-one tutorial system, the focus is on leading each pupil to think for himself and to work on acquiring the balanced strengths that he will need for adult life. Through his rapport with the pupil, the tutor provides an effective service of personal example, guidance and advice.
