Today's 'A Conversation With...' features business teacher Mr Simon Gower. In this feature, we discover more about his passion for music - in which he has band and gig experience - in addition to what inspired him to pursue a career in education.
What is your role and how long have you been at Shiplake?
I joined Shiplake College in January 2023 as a teacher of business, as well as a proud member of the Orchard House tutor team.
What were you doing before you joined Shiplake?
I started my teaching career about 12 years ago and have been working in a couple of different schools, most recently as Head of Department for Business, Computer Science & Creative iMedia. I have also acted as Deputy Head of Sixth Form and have run various clubs including an eco-club, a rock school, and a rugby club.
This has been your first term at the College, how have you settled in and found the experience so far?
Arriving in January does not leave a lot of time to dither as two of my new classes needed to prepare for January exams. Thankfully, the students were supportive and keen to do well, so it got us off to a great start.
Outside the classroom, there is so much going on around the College and it has been so much fun to watch and support the students in all kinds of activities, from house singing competitions, drama performances, brilliant jazz and rock bands, rowing, chess and, of course, football! In all honesty, it is hard to get involved with everything, but I want to do as much as I can, and I am looking forward to watching some cricket and Shiplake Rocks! this term.
The staff have been so kind and welcoming, and I have had the opportunity to go on various trips, including to New York on a Business and Photography trip, and I have also had the chance to play pickleball.
What is a day in the life at Shiplake like for Mr Gower?
I usually get in at around 7.45am and as pupils start to arrive, I grab a coffee in the Orchard Pavilion and chat to the Year 9 pupils or the Orchard team. After a few wise words from Mr Curtis, there is assembly, chapel or a chance to get organised.
Then there are the lessons. No day and no lesson is ever the same. Sometimes, I can be coaching pupils through a tough essay assignment, but I also love it when pupils find an area of business interesting and start to generate their own ideas or get excited about the prospect of number crunching. It’s what I love about teaching business and working with young people.
My favourite part of the day is lunch time as the food here is so good! There is also the chance to catch up with people, attend team meetings, see the Eco-Committe planning change for the good, go for a walk down to the river, or get some marking done.
I don’t live on site, so I usually head home at around 6.00pm after activities and planning my lessons. If there are events on in the evening, I'm always tempted to stay. I like to reflect on my day and there seems to be plenty to smile or laugh about.
What inspired you to pursue a career in education?
I ran a search and head-hunting business for a while and was surprised when my business partner gave it all up to be a teacher. After he had been teaching for a couple of years, he invited me to spend a couple of days in the school with him. Working in a school seemed so dynamic and exciting compared to office life - it was easy to see why he had swapped the business for a career in education.
My two stepchildren have been a huge inspiration in my life and being there to watch them grow from toddlers to adults has been very rewarding. Maybe it was them, my old business partner, or watching the Coach Carter movie, but I knew that I had to try teaching. I took a job as an unqualified teacher for a year before obtaining a teaching qualification.
Teaching is a tough job at times, but I have never looked back. When things are going well, it really is the best job in the world.
We've heard that you are quite the musician with band experience! Can you tell us a bit more about that and will we see a Business Department band with you and Mr Olhausen?
Now this is my opportunity to play down my musical talents, especially as the College has so many talented and aspiring musicians!
Throughout sixth form and university, I taught myself to play the bass, drums, and guitar; spending far too much time in bands and doing gigs when I really should have been revising or doing my homework! Our band, Lazy B, won a 'Battle of the Bands' competition, winning a week in a recording studio. I am still very proud to listen back to the CD we made that week.
In more recent years, I was a bass player and vocals in a 3-piece cover band playing popular rock, indie and punk songs. For about 10 years, The Greedy Dogs played regularly in various pubs, bars and functions throughout Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. The band disbanded during lockdown, so perhaps Shiplake will present some new opportunities to play. Maybe I could form a business duo with Mr Olhausen? Or team up with Mr Alcock as well for an Orchard House band? Who knows? It all sounds like fun!
What does the future hold for Mr Gower?
To get good exam outcomes, good planning is essential. Away from work, I am not an ambitious planner these days, as I rarely think beyond the next holiday, hobby or DIY project. Next year, I am planning to get more involved with teaching A-level business, in addition to Creative iMedia. A wise person once said, "Don't plan for a happy life, plan to create happiness every day". So far, my job at Shiplake is providing some of that and long may that continue!
