The Independent UNIVERSITY OF BUCKINGHAM ALUMNI MAGAZINE Autumn 2019 Welcome Sir Anthony Seldon, Vice-Chancellor 1 Also in this issue: Welcome to our New Deans 4 The New Advancement Team at Buckingham 1st 1stst TOP 18 FOR STUDENT ININ1 UKUK FOFOR 4 SATISFACTION: TEACHINGTEACHING FOR STUDENT- 2017, 2018, 2019 EEXXCELLENCECELLENCE STAFF RATIO The Times and The Sunday The Complete TEF:Times Tim Higheres High Educater Educaionti on Times - Good University University Guide mmetretriicscs raanking,nking, 2201017 Guide, 2019 Welcome Contents Since I joined as your Vice-Chancellor in 2015, it has been my privilege to meet many members of our alumni community. I never fail to be inspired Welcome Graduate Profile Updates from Schools Sir Anthony Seldon 3 Lauren Zavala 8 16 by them, and within this issue of The Independent we have three shining examples; Lauren, Chris and Chanuki. Professor Barnaby Lenon Graduate Interview Sports Update Dean of Education Chris Jagger Kate Mulrey 4 10 15 All have taken different paths and all are Our graduates continue to make us proud, successful in their chosen fields. I recognise and as we head towards our Fiftieth Birthday Sandra Clarke Graduate Interview The Advancement in them our outstanding University values - a in 2026 your support will be even more vital. Dean of Law Dr Chanuki Seresinhe 11 Team 18 sense of curiosity, an ability to challenge ideas, Our aim to double the student population, 6 Beverley Kelly a respect for beliefs and thinking of others, build new facilities and offer new and exciting and a strong work ethic. courses will only be possible with your help. The Vinson Centre Estates Update Let’s make that future a reality and give us Colin Stoker Professor Matthias Klaes 7 12 every reason to celebrate in 2026. With best wishes, Anthony The Independent | Autumn 2019 3 I believe there is nothing more important for society than the production of good teachers. WHAT DO I BELIEVE? 1. School teaching can be the most fulfilling 9. Many children do not reach their full 16. Both teachers and pupils need to believe job – creative, autonomous and a major potential at school. As a country we do that ability is not fixed but can be influence for good on people’s lives. particularly badly with the bottom third developed by effort. Some people are 2. Good teachers are what matters most in a of pupils, who learn little in secondary more naturally gifted than others but the school system. They are more significant school. less able can compensate if they work Professor Barnaby Lenon than the way schools are organised. 10. All children need to be able to read well hard. 3. Good teacher training focuses on the before they leave primary school. Phonics 17. Reducing gaps in achievement between practice of classroom management and is the best way to do this. sub-groups (based on gender, ethnicity, Dean of Education understanding what good research and 11. Little can be achieved, especially in social class, special needs) is worth doing experience tells us works best. secondary schools, without good but is less important than getting all sub- groups up to a good level. 4. Most so-called professional development discipline. Discipline, rigour and hard work matter more than making lessons 18. Technology should be used where Barnaby taught at Eton for 12 years, Education at the University of Buckingham. does not work. What does work is relevant or fun. there is good evidence it is better than Barnaby Lenon was was Deputy Head of Highgate School, I opted to apply for the position because deliberate practice. Focussing on doing direct instruction by a teacher alone. Headmaster of Trinity School Croydon Buckingham is one of the largest teacher things the teacher cannot yet do well 12. Engagement with and the training of Good textbooks can be as important as educated at Eltham and head of Harrow for 12 years. He is training centres in Britain, with 1300 trainees enough, ideally with feedback. This parents is important. computers. currently a trustee of the nine independent in a typical year. I believe there is nothing is why we believe in classroom-based 13. All children but especially disadvantaged College, at The and state schools in the King Edward’s more important for society than the teacher training. Teachers can improve children need a body of knowledge to 19. Pupils need to develop strong spoken Birmingham Foundation. Barnaby is production of good teachers. throughout their working lives by build on if they are to make a success of skills in the context of every school University of Oxford experimenting with methods they have subject. chairman of governors and joint founder The School of Education was set up by Sir school. You cannot think deeply about a not used before. and he won The of the London Academy of Excellence, a Chris Woodhead and Professor Anthony subject unless you have knowledge. 20. School is not only about exam results. top state school which opened in 2012 in O’Hear based on two main ideas – that other 5. Good subject knowledge is a principal 14. Disadvantaged children need access to Good mental and physical health, soft University of Cambridge Newham, east London. He is also chairman university teacher training departments were characteristic of the best teachers. the knowledge known as cultural capital, skills, worthwhile habits, academic of the Independent Schools’ Council, a often teaching completely false concepts, 6. School subjects are different and need including vocabulary, if they are to motivation, and the discovery of new trustee of the Yellow Submarine charity and and that the most effective teacher training specific teaching methods. compete. interests such as art, music and drama are prize for Education. a consultant to the Robertson Foundation also important. takes place in school classrooms. Today 7. We believe in the value of some learning 15. Repeated testing is essential if pupils are which sponsors schools in New York and much of our training happens by using being hands-on, including science to retain knowledge and understanding. These are the ideas we will be promoting at South Africa. Barnaby has recently published trained tutors and mentors to guide teachers practicals and geography fieldwork. Education is in part about placing the School of Education. It is great to be a part two books and is one of the most widely by observing them in the classroom. The of a small but liberal and dynamic university 8. There is no one teaching style but some knowledge securely in the long-term quoted educationalists. This year he was main courses we offer are the Post-Graduate and it is terrific that Buckingham supports methods are more effective than others. memory. awarded a CBE for services to education. Certificate in Education, Masters Degrees teach training in the way it does. Direct instruction works well. In January this year I became Dean of and a doctorate. 4 The Independent | Autumn 2019 The Independent | Autumn 2019 5 Sandra Clarke, MA (Oxon), Barrister, SFHEA Estate Update Dean of Law Colin Stocker - Estates Bursar I joined The University of Buckingham in 1983 also directed plays for the Old Gaolers town The Estates Team continues as a lecturer in law, intending to stay here for drama group, and within the University. to play an important role three years before returning to practise at Some nine years later, having married in the Bar. Instead, I stayed for nine years! I have Buckingham Parish Church and now a parent, in the development and fond memories of my little room in Prebend I returned to my roots in Dartford, Kent. I growth of the University. Cottage and of my first work computer – worked at the University of Greenwich, at an Amstrad PCW shared between me and first on a very part-time basis, much later With investment in the another lecturer, and wheeled between full time, and for the last four years I was the two rooms on a tea trolley. The IT has Head of the Department of Law. I had not existing estate continuing definitely improved since then. really considered leaving, but this wonderful and many areas of If I am honest, it would be difficult to say why opportunity at Buckingham came up, and I initially decided to study law. Like many I jumped at the chance to return. This is a academic, administrative people, I had no experience of studying it very special place, with its calm and beautiful at school, and initially thought of studying surroundings and its focus on students as and accommodation space English because I loved reading. It was a individuals. undergoing significant Proposed new Lew School, Tingewick Road teacher who suggested that I might enjoy I have enjoyed my first year here, and am law, as it involves a lot of reading, and looking forward to taking the Law School improvement to provide much because I was very argumentative. I therefore forward into the future. So much has changed applied for a place to read Jurisprudence in both teaching and practising law. The enhanced facilities to study at St Catherine’s College Oxford, and was lovely leather bound law reports are now here at Buckingham. delighted to be awarded a place. mainly museum pieces, with online databases From there I went on to study for Bar Finals providing reports of legal cases direct to the I have had the privilege On the capital development front, the biggest and was a pupil in two sets of chancery desktop. Artificial Intelligence is creating building to be built on the Hunter Street of being Dean of Law chambers.