To celebrate their achievements and commitment to the school, we are interviewing long-serving staff members to find out what has kept them at Norwich School and what they have loved about their time with us.
On a June morning, Peter Goddard, Manager for the Swire CLCN, shares his experiences of Norwich School with us:
What has role at Norwich School entailed?
"Well at the start of my career at Norwich School, it was a boys’ school of around 650 from age 11 to 18 with around 20 boys in an additional year preparing for Oxbridge entry. There were also over a hundred boarders. So a very, very different school to the school today.
In my 40 years at the school, I have coordinated Senior School Sport. I have been the House Master of Brooke, the Head of Geography, the Under Master, the Senior Master, an Assistant Head, and I have also taught biology and even a bit of physics. As Assistant Head (Compliance) I worked in safeguarding, health and safety, I had oversight of exams, general school compliance and school policies, coordinated educational visits, and oversaw partnerships and public benefit. I also taught a full timetable of mostly A-Level Geography.
I initiated our relationship with UEA’s training school to bring teachers into the school for their teaching practices – this has led to many teachers joining the school on completion of their PGCE training.
I like to think I had a big hand in bringing girls to all years in the school. Having attended a mixed school myself I understood the benefits of a mixed education. In 1994 at Norwich School we welcomed girls into the sixth form. Then, I think it was 2007-2008 I spotted Horse Fair House was empty and up for let. I mentioned this to the Bursar and Head and we promptly toured the former large call-center, as we would need more space to admit girls into the school. In September 2008 the first girls in other key stages began their education at the school.
In 2013 I wrote a piece for the governors about the benefits of bringing in International Students into NS, which was approved, and has seen hundreds of students join the School Homestay Scheme for their Sixth Form Studies. As Director of International Recruitment, I was fortunate to visit many Far Eastern countries.
The last three years of my full-time career at the school I was also the Director of Development –the Blake Studio being the standout contribution from that role.
I “retired” in 2018 and immediately took on the Management of the Swire Chinese Language Centre – Norwich, based at Norwich School.
It’s been busy!!!!!"
How long have you been working at the school and what drew you to the school initially?
"I started at Norwich School in September 1983, so I have been here 40 + years. I came here to work with the then new L4, and to work with examination groups higher up the school and to teach games every afternoon. I had noticed an advert in the Times Education Supplement; at the time I was working at Ryde School on the Isle of Wight and was encouraged to apply by two ON’s working in the school at the time – the Deputy-Head Maurice Fenn and the Head of English David Philo. The journey from the Isle of Wight to Norfolk for my interview was one of epic proportions taking more than eight hours, there was no M25 and none of the faster A11 dual carriageway we now enjoy today. I was interviewed by Brian Robertson, the Head of Geography and by David Knott the Head of Biology. I will always remember the interview I had with Phillip Stibbe, the Head Master at the time – we talked about gardening, about his time in the Far East and about the role of the church in school life; it was a very odd interview. The following morning I received a telegram (no emailing or texting back in 1983!) from the Norwich School / King Edward VI advising me that the position was mine!"
What have you enjoyed the most in your career and what has been your most memorable moments at the school and in education?
"I have been fortunate to enjoy the support of some excellent Head Teachers and colleagues and this has meant my career within the school has constantly evolved and changed. As well as enjoying a successful classroom career sport has been front and centre too. As a qualified coach I oversaw rowing for five years – and moved two senior rowers on in their rowing journey to the England setup. I have taken Rugby to the 2nd XV level and I also coached Norfolk sides too. I also played rugby for Wymondham for a good five years. I have run Hockey and Cricket teams. Sport and the opportunity to teach sport has been very important to me – you certainly see children in a very different light on the sports field!
Furthermore, I have certainly learned much from those that have worked for me. Of those that taught within Geography I am so pleased that for many their careers have developed so rapidly and into very senior school positions: of these colleagues there are now two Heads, three Deputy Heads, one Principal Deputy Head working in UK Independent Schools. There is also one individual who is in-charge of outdoor education in Scotland. All of these individuals were a delight to work with and really do deserve all they have achieved.
I was fortunate to lead a very strong and successful Geography Department, for some ten years – and was always excited and proud of the outstanding outcomes of those in our charge, the fantastic universities they attended to continue their Geographical Studies and the great careers they have all moved into. I am still in touch with many these ONs and their families.
For me in many ways it is the individuals that have crossed my path, whether pupil, colleague or parent that create the most positive memories for me.
My role in Geography saw me being commissioned by the Editorial Team at Letts Educational. With Letts I wrote seven A-Level and AS Revision Texts; these can still be purchased to this day, sadly the internet decimated the revision book market! I even received a commission payment from Channel 4 when my books appeared in an episode of “The Inbetweeners”! Whilst contracted with Letts I was also the Senior Examiner for one of the then major Examination Groups and put together two, now legacy A-Level Syllabuses in Geography.
As you can see, I have been blessed with one educational and career highlight after another. I have had a quite magical time at Norwich School and the wider educational world."
What is your favourite event of the year at Norwich School?
"The House Shout which happens at the beginning of the year just brings all the Houses together – this is especially important for the new children in the Senior School. I also enjoy the joy and excitement the Norfolk Show now creates for ONs, pupils and parents alike. From early beginnings in a small gazebo, organised by Victoria Gaskin and me, our presence has grown immeasurably."
What do you like about the community of Norwich School and Norwich as a whole?
"It is all about belonging! At its best Norwich School has provided for me and my family social connections, friendships, and practical and emotional support. And I hope that in return I have in some small way enriched the lives of the people, pupils and parents and teams I have worked with. I remember years ago a local artist had added to the Cringleford “Welcome to Norwich” sign – the words, “the Graveyard of Ambition”; for me working at Norwich School and for my family Norfolk/Norwich has offered an abundant and unbelievably happy life – completing my professional career here has been a joy."
If you could choose anyone to visit the school, who would it be?
"Nelson. He was an interesting and complex man. His great courage caught the public imagination of his time and he was rightly hero worshiped. 200+ years on the world has rightly changed and being a hero can have many forms and connotations. But Nelson’s contribution to our history should not be forgotten."
Which house do you think will win sports day this year?
"I always hope that Brooke will because of my association with them. The other long association I have is with Parker so, I would say Brooke or Parker."
What’s your greatest professional achievement?
"I think for any teacher seeing your students achieving outstanding results year on year has to be the real fillip to keep pushing you as a teacher to encourage students to even higher levels of attainment. For me, I think the greatest professional achievement is to have been a part of helping individuals, over many years, achieve at the highest level and to move onto university and into their successful careers."