“I was driving up the M6 and my smile was growing bigger and bigger.”
Just over a month into his role as the new headmaster of Giggleswick School, Sam Hart believes he has made the best decision of his career, and has vowed to increase the reputation of the leading northern independent school.
Mr Hart has worked in education for 14 years, and joined from Winchester College in Hampshire where he held roles as a teacher of physics, housemaster, Director of Sport and Contingent Commander of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF).
Having travelled extensively as a child, as an educator and in the forces, Mr Hart believes there’s something extra special about the Yorkshire Dales.
“I have seen some amazing places over the years, but it’s just incredible here,” he said. “Every morning when I see the beauty of the area – the hills, the greenery – I know how lucky I am to be here, and how lucky our pupils are as well. There is no better place to educate children.”
He started his new role just after Christmas, moving up from Hampshire with his wife and two children.
He has wasted no time in getting to know the strengths of the school, staff and students, and said: “It’s clear I have a superb team around me and I already have no doubts that this is an excellent place of learning. I am certainly starting from a position of strength.
“The senior leadership is incredibly capable and supportive, there are strong relationships between the pupils and staff which is reflected in the positive atmosphere, and the academic and extra-curricular opportunities are excellent.
“But I don’t think it’s enough to just keep that going. I want to build on those strengths and I am confident I can take the school forward even further. I want everyone to know where Giggleswick is, the wonderful school we’ve created here and our reputation for excellence.”
Giggleswick School is set across 215 acres of stunning Yorkshire countryside and boasts 500 years of heritage. It has wide-ranging facilities including well-equipped, modern classrooms, extensive sports pitches and the professional standard Richard Whiteley Theatre. The school also takes advantage of the local countryside for outdoor pursuits such as climbing, fell running (a traditional Dales pursuit), kayaking and orienteering.
Mr Hart added: “One thing I am aiming to do is focus on developing some of the things that make us unique. For example, the drama and music departments here are absolutely outstanding.
“These are areas we can support further and watch them flourish and grow.”
Mr Hart also drew attention to the school’s CAS (Creative, Active, Service) Programme, which provides over 60 different activities ranging from academic enrichment, sport, creative classes, and its ‘huge’ outdoor pursuits provision which takes full advantage of the local countryside.
Through his experiences at Winchester, Mr Hart believes the pastoral care offered to children is one of the most important factors in running a school, particularly for boarders, and was something that attracted him to Giggleswick.
“As a housemaster, I was responsible for the pastoral care of 63 boys, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Keeping them safe, happy and feeling they belonged and were part of something was key. It was like a family, and I learned a lot about the importance of the all-round care of a child.
“It is clearly something Giggleswick does very well and there is a strong sense of inclusivity here. Everyone really looks out for each other. I suppose it is slightly different as it’s co-ed here, but I have two daughters so it’s not something that phases me.”
Mr Hart enjoyed a successful career in the Army Air Corp, where he flew Lynx helicopters and was awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding leadership on an Operation in Afghanistan.
However, he wants his work in education to take precedence. “I do come from a military background, and when my father left the Royal Air Force, he went to work at Tonbridge School and it inspired me to look at education seriously.
“I quickly realised it was a very worthwhile career. Many of my skills complemented it, and with a good degree behind me, it felt like a very good fit.
“There were some familiarities and also many differences, but the key thing was it’s something I enjoyed immensely.
“I feel what I’ve done and what I’m doing now in education is important and what I want to be known for. I’ve a full range of pastoral, academic and co-curricular experience, and that sense of helping a child to become a grounded, all-round person, building their confidence and developing their individual abilities is incredibly rewarding.
“It fits really well with Giggleswick’s ethos of participation, ambition and respect. We recognise that every child is different, and we want to give them the opportunity to develop their strengths, find out about themselves and strive for excellence.
“Academic achievement is an absolute priority, but equally important is our curriculum for life and preparing them for when they go out into the world, be it to university or the workplace.”
Categories: Giggleswick School School News
