A Warm Welcome to New Staff

Shiplake College is thrilled to announce the appointment of two new members of staff. Mr Richard Curran and Mr Tom Bayley join the Shiplake staff, both looking to build on the College's excellent reputation and enjoy the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of Shiplake.

Mr Curran joins Shiplake as Director of Music, to allow Mr Paul Jones time to focus on his role as Assistant Head and Lower School Housemaster. Mr Bayley takes up a position as teacher of Design and Technology. Both newcomers have ample teaching experience in a variety of schools under their belts, and bring with them enthusiasm for their subjects and a passion for learning.

Mr Curran joins Shiplake from Japan, where he was the Head of the Expressive Arts Faculty at the British School in Tokyo for six years. After graduating from Edinburgh University in the late nineties, Richard took a year abroad in Nagasaki where he discovered his passion for teaching, and so on his return he undertook a PGCE at Edinburgh before taking up his first teaching post at the International School of Paris. Following a successful two years there, Richard moved to Tanglin Trust School in Singapore as Assistant Director of Music, responsible for Secondary School Music.  In his spare time, Mr Curran enjoys playing tennis, golf and football and is excited at the prospect of having Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club not too far away! Richard joins us with his wife Kumiko and daughter Maya.

Mr Bayley comes to the College from Beechwood School, in Slough. A local man, Tom has taught in a handful of schools in the Reading and Wycombe area, which have provided him with an invaluable insight into different projects and schemes of work. Having had a very practical upbringing, Tom developed a passion for working with tools and using reclaimed materials; indeed, his sister’s wedding present was a king-size bed made from various types of recovered wood! Teaching seemed like a natural progression: from being a technician at Great Marlow School and developing a rapport with pupils there, Tom undertook his GTP and followed a path into teaching. His hobbies include working on cars, and he currently has two Suzukis undergoing restoration. Tom, his wife and son Max look forward to this new challenge and settling in here at Shiplake.