BUSINESS INSIDER
ONE TO WATCH
TIM NAYLOR The Bath Academy principal reflects on his own schooldays, and tells us what the future holds for the independent sixth form college Tell us about your own schooldays… My own education was at Ampleforth, a boarding school attached to a Benedictine monastery. I was influenced by several outstanding men who would have had glittering careers if they had not chosen to dedicate their lives as monks. They handed on the Benedictine values of the love of learning and desire for God that have underpinned western civilisation. Was teaching always on the agenda? I never intended to become a teacher, but a group of occupational psychologists advised me that teaching was my path. I thought that having an English language teaching certificate would help me indulge my love of travelling. What makes Bath Academy stand out from others? We came top of the government league table for performance and progress in A-levels in B&NES. We are unique among schools and colleges in Bath by adding significant value to the life chances of young people – e.g. by providing re-sit courses for those students who need more expert teaching and support to progress to the best universities. Lucy came with grades of CCD and made an eight grade improvement to A*AA; and John had ADHD and no GCSEs. He left us with five GCSEs and grades ABB at A Level. We also provide a more flexible approach for those with health issues or learning difficulties, giving that second chance to students who don’t always fit the standard mould but can succeed. What can students study at Bath Academy? Students can study a range of courses from GCSE to A-level, as well as do revision and retakes. Our University Foundation Programme for international students is an alternative pathway to university. This year, we had more students than ever receive places at their chosen university, with 75 per cent of first time A-level students gaining places at Russell Group universities. Why does education inspire you? At the heart of my vision is personal attention to individual students. Knowing students well leads to good teaching, better learning and a positive day-to-day community experience – making education responsive to the realities of individual differences. 100 I BATH LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Everything in the college is arranged so that the strong still have something to strive for and the weak do not withdraw in self-doubt and anxiety. We aim to encourage our students, helping them to move from a felt ‘minus’ to a felt ‘plus’ so they feel adequate to the tasks of life and make a personal contribution to society. What’s been your most memorable moment at Bath Academy? Reading the A-level results of a student with ADD who, after unsuccessfully studying A-Levels twice at schools in both the South West and London, achieved grades A*AB. Also, presenting the Paul Kitchener Memorial Award at the House of Lords for best international UFP student – this has been won six times out of the last eight years by one of our students. Any exciting news to share? Our domestic UK student intake has increased by 30 per cent, so we have just expanded our premises across Queen Square to Chapel Row. Our recent rebrand and forthcoming new website portray what we’ve become – progressive, international, and dynamic. Tell us something about you that might surprise us? I briefly taught English, then moved to lecturing in forensic psychology to undergraduates, and then on to both state and independent schools, teaching psychology, philosophy and religious studies. For more: www.bathacademy.co.uk
I NEVER INTENDED TO BE A TEACHER BUT WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS MY PATH