In this week's edition of 'A Conversation With...', we caught up with Mr Jack Burrows, the College's latest addition to the geography department. Here, we learn about his lunchtime weaknesses, passion for teaching, and a hint or two about his ongoing novel!
What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake?
I'm new to Shiplake this academic year so I started at the beginning of September, joining the geography department. My degree is in Physical Geography but when it comes to teaching the subject, I enjoy all aspects.
What were you doing before Shiplake?
This is the start of my eighth year working in education. I was in a state school before Shiplake where I was a geography teacher. I was also a Head of Year, a role which I started during the initial phase of the pandemic back in 2020. So that was a very interesting period to start that job! During the last year, I also set up and ran a club/safe space for LGBTQ+ pupils at my previous school, which is one of my proudest achievements to date.
What is a day in the life at Shiplake like for Mr Burrows?
I'm an early bird so I usually get in at around 7.00am - I'm far more productive in the mornings. As pupils start to arrive, I usually loiter on the Skipwith landing and chat to the Housemaster and Deputy Housemaster, Mr Milburn and Miss Jones. My favourite times are when Miss Jones brings Diggle along, her Corgi. I know I shouldn’t have favourites – especially in a dog-loving school like Shiplake – but me and Diggle share the same birthday, so we have a special connection.
Then, obviously, there are the lessons. But every day and every lesson is so different I couldn’t possibly summarise that. No day and no lesson is ever the same. It’s what I love about teaching and working with young people.
The highlight of my day is lunch, which I know is such a cliché for anyone at Shiplake to say. I’d heard such good things about the food at Shiplake and it doesn’t disappoint. Sticky toffee pudding is my weakness.
I don’t live on site, so I usually head home at around 5.00pm, though it can be earlier or later depending on the day and if I have House duty, or if there are events on I might stay later. I loved taking part in the Sixth Form dodgeball a few weeks ago.
How would you describe your time working at a Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) and does it differ to a mainstream school?
The short answer is wildly different. A PRU is a specialist prevision for young people who have been permanently excluded, or are at risk of permanent exclusion, from mainstream schools. You can therefore imagine that the behaviour is some of the most challenging in the education system. However, what cannot be stated enough is the bonds and relationships you can foster with the students. So much time is dedicated to building that, it is almost second to the learning. A lot of young people in PRUs have often been “burned” by the education system in some way, so it’s a lot about rebuilding trust between them and adults, especially education staff.
What is the best thing about working at Shiplake?
The community. The care and support that I have experienced from everyone – staff and students alike – since starting here has been phenomenal. It has led to me feeling like I’ve been here for years already.
What do you do away from work?
I’m really passionate about reading and creative writing. I’d love to be published one day, so I’m often working on my fiction or attending courses and seminars to learn about how to improve. I’m also a huge Marvel fan so any time there is a new TV series or film, I’m there. I enjoy playing tennis with my husband, Chris, and have recently started to enjoy semi-regular kayaking on the Thames since I moved much closer to the river at the beginning of this year.
Can you drop any hints or spoilers about your novel?
Novel hints...it is a comedy-mystery-adventure involving a case of mistaken identity, missing religious artefacts and a hasty pursuit across Europe. This is the first time I've ever had to try and summarise it so thank you for the challenge!
What does the future hold for Mr Burrows?
Hopefully a long and happy career in teaching. I just love what I do; I love inspiring new geographers and getting pupils enthused and interested in the world around them. Young pupils are such fun to work with and they will always catch you by surprise – and make you laugh when you shouldn’t. I could be a bestselling author, or win the lottery, but I’d still teach – especially at Shiplake.
