Magnus interview with Hampshire Life
How long have you been Head of Bedales, and what attracted you to the role?
I have been Head of Bedales since September 2018. It is not every day that an opportunity comes along to work at such a distinctive school as Bedales – one which has a truly progressive and innovative approach to learning, one that is steeped in a rich tradition of celebrating the individual yet has a very modern and dynamic feel. Bedales was founded by John Haden Badley in 1893 to be a humane alternative to the authoritarian regimes typical of late-Victorian public schools.
Who can attend the school, and what is the ethos?
Our three schools run from 3-18 years old – we have our own Nursery, Pre-prep and Prep Schools, Dunannie and Dunhurst. The vast majority of students join Bedales Senior from Dunhurst to continue their school careers at Bedales. Our school ethos is ‘Head, Hand, Heart’ encapsulating our desire to encourage creative, independent thinkers (Head), our holistic approach which encourages students to discover their passions (Hand) and our emphasis on respect, authenticity, and valuing both the individual and our school community (Heart).
Share an interesting fact about Bedales.
In recognition of the overwhelming scientific evidence that shows that teenagers’ biological sleep rhythms are different from younger children and adults, we have introduced a ‘later start to the day’ this year whereby the first academic lesson is a whole hour later than previously. The first lesson now starts at 9.45am, however those students who like to get up earlier have a wide range of activities, from swimming, tennis, cross country running, creative writing or language workshops from which to choose. Our students arrive at lessons refreshed and ready to get down to work. We expect to see a knock on effect on academic achievement, but this initiative is about more than that. Sleep is so central to our health and wellbeing, we all know that we feel happier and better after a good night’s sleep.
What is your day-to-day role?
Whilst I am busy running the senior school, I also teach English to a number of classes which I greatly enjoy. I try to spend time every day talking to students, most recently I have met individually with each of the students in 6.1 (Year 12) finding out how their transition to the Sixth Form is working out for them and chatting about interests and concerns. I am always busy with Admissions, meeting new families and showing them around Bedales. We are lucky enough to have a fantastic parent body and I liaise regularly with our Chair of the Bedales Parents’ Association. I work closely with the Heads of our Prep and Pre-prep Schools so often I will spend time in the week with them talking about our three school approach or leading an Assembly for the younger students. There is always something interesting going on at Bedales. In the evenings I’m often to be found in our theatre or concert hall listening to wonderful music, contemporary and classical, or watching drama or dance performances. We have an excellent programme of outside speakers and visits from external theatre companies so there is never a dull moment.
What is your favourite part of the school?
Perhaps, as an English teacher, it is no surprise that our library is my favourite part of the school. It is a Grade 1 listed Arts and Crafts building which was built as a memorial to the Bedales students who died in World War 1. There is a great sense of peace in there and it is a wonderful place to spend time, looking through books and chatting, quietly of course, to our dedicated librarians.
And your favourite view?
My favourite view is from the Poet’s Stone in the Ashford Hangers down on to the Bedales estate. It is a brisk and steep walk from my study to the top of the Poet’s Stone, named after the famous First World War poet Edward Thomas who lived in Steep, but the view down to Bedales and over to the South Downs is exceptional and reminds me of how fortunate I am to live in this amazing community.
This interview with Magnus informed an article published in the January 2021 issue of Hampshire Life.