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Will
Teacher at Reed's
Will teaches History at Reed’s School and is Head of Third Form (Year 9). He is also a resident tutor in The Close (our Junior Boarding House) and Hockey Assistant for The Close. A New Zealander, Will came to Reed’s with four years’ teaching experience in 2019.
CAN YOU SHARE THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR DECISION TO BECOME A TEACHER?
I knew I wanted to be a teacher before I finished school myself. I think most people get some inspiration from their teachers, and I certainly had some excellent role models that had a positive impact on my life – people who were genuinely interested in me and generous with their time. It seemed like a rewarding and varied life, with interesting people.
WHAT SPECIFICALLY APPEALED TO YOU ABOUT WORKING AT REED'S?
I was obviously attracted by the range of activities on offer, but what I remember from my interview most clearly was the two-minute walk over to the History department with the Head of History, who had no less than seven separate conversations with pupils who said hello to him along the way. I think the warmth and openness with which the pupils chatted to a member of staff was something that stood out as truly special, and it was great to get a job here and get to experience that for myself.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE TYPICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A REED'S PUPIL?
I don’t know if there is a ‘typical’ pupil, but something I do have to remind myself not to take for granted is just how enthusiastic Reed’s pupils are to learn and to improve in the classroom. Teaching our subject is our core business; I used to have a colleague who said, “The classroom is king”, and I think Reed’s pupils get that. The pupils who get the most out of Reed’s are the ones who understand that they are part of a community who want them to succeed, and who are prepared to work with us to be good citizens and reach their potential.
WHAT FACTORS DO YOU BELIEVE ARE MOST INFLUENTIAL IN DRIVING PUPIL
I’m very proud to work at a school like Reed’s partly because I’m in awe of my colleagues. I see people who are absolutely exhausted at the end of term because they have completely emptied the tank to get the best out of the pupils and themselves. The pupils may not always see this, but the thing that drives teachers at Reed’s is the desire to make a difference in the lives of the kids. These are people who exemplify the Reed’s values every day, who understand that what they do matters, and are prepared to make sacrifices to be exceptional. I can’t thing of a more influential factor than that.
HOW DO YOU THINK REED'S FOSTERS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGING AMONGST ITS PUPILS?
The pastoral structure is really important in achieving this, be it belonging to a house or just having a tutor who really gets to know you over several years. I’d say its these things that helps pupils to have a connection to the school and to their year group. I think the small class sizes also allow teachers to really get to know their pupils, building relationships that are nurtured on the sports field, in the choir, or in a myriad of different places where pupils have the chance to find the parts of the school that make them feel more at home.
