Chalkies’ Corner In what has become a popular feature in the magazine, we are pleased to catch up with some more long-serving former teachers (once known as Chalkies), who were happy to share their memories of Uppingham and update us on where they are now. If you’d like to find out what became of one of your teachers, do contact the office and we’ll do our best to track them down.
Nigel Richardson Member of Staff 1971 to 1989 What brought me to Uppingham? Partly that I’d been a pupil at Highgate under Headmaster, Alfred Doulton (staff 1934 to 1954, and later trustee). I arrived straight from university as the junior historian, expecting to stay for three years. Eighteen years later, I finally departed, as Second Master. It was a more carefree and less performance-driven world than nowadays: no senior management teams; few compliance demands; photocopying a rarity, and no intrusive emails. Not many prospective parents would have thought to ask about exam results. The work was intensive, yet richly varied. So, what were my best term-time memories? ‘Macbeth’ to open the new theatre; staff plays; spectacular concerts; the Quatercentenary. In the holidays? Drama tours to the USA, and the annual summer school in Sweden. Worst times? Refereeing on The Middle, followed by postgames teaching in the East Block, on a wet day in January. Sunday evening chapel services coinciding with a James Bond film on TV: cue for pupil outrage. Best decision made by the School in my time? The first two girls’ houses (Fairfield in 1975 and Johnson’s in 1986). Since Uppingham? I became Head of the Dragon School, Oxford – a legendary prep school, but one undergoing a period of change. I spent two fascinating years in Cheshire, helping to open a girls’ division in a proudly traditional boys’ school. I was Head of the Perse School,
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