Didsbury-Magazine-Jun-Jul-2013

Paul Berry
After 17 years in teaching, high-octane
headmaster Paul Berry knew instantly
The Ryleys was where he wanted to be.
Ucannily in tune with
the 1877-established
prep school‘s ethics,
Paul blends 21st-century
educational perspectives
with many traditional values.
Always game, at 24 he had
been his school’s sole male
member of staff – and he’s
no slave to PC. He bemoans
the lack of common sense
pervading present-day society,
quipping that restrictions
on schoolyard conkers and
snowballing breach children’s
basic rights and says: “It‘s
about balance, responsibility
and risk assessment. Had I
been cautioned for comforting
and putting my arm round that
first pupil with a cut knee, I’d
have left the profession there
and then. We’re entrusted with
parents’ greatest treasure -
their children. We must offer
what’s best for each child.”
Aims
Breathing sport like oxygen,
this dynamo is determined
his 3 to 13-year-old charges
develop both academically
and personally. Children
learn hands-on about food
production. They collect eggs
from the school’s hens and
consume their own schoolgrown
vegetables. Older pupils
are encouraged to interact
regularly with younger ones.
Paul hopes to send youngsters
onto the next stage of their
education as confident,
enthusiastic and caring individuals
who are ready to grasp every
opportunity available to them.
Destined to teach – and
work together
From their student days
onwards, the Berrys have
always worked in education,
but until their boarding-school
experience at St Anselm in
Bakewell, co-working was not
on the cards. After all, Paul
taught the full age range and
Jane focused on the young.
Paul’s up with the lark and
Jane‘s a night-owl. Farmer’s
lad Paul likes things rural – to
him, Alderley‘s a cityscape
– and Sheffield-lass Jane’s
tastes are urban. But as St
Anselm’s former school deputy
couple, houseparents and role
models par excellence, their
working partnership coalesced
Paul hopes to send youngsters onto
the next stage of their education as
confident, enthusiastic and caring
individuals who are ready to grasp
every opportunity available to them.
and continues here - residing
‘en famille’ at The Ryleys.
Alderley Edge
4.30am jogger Paul finds
Alderley’s dawn silence broken
only by the occasional latenighter
stumbling home – quite
a contrast with the bustle
of Bakewell’s early-morning
runners and herdsmen. Jane
finds herself in food, family and
shopping heaven.
Principles
Sincere, competitive and
compassionate Paul sums
up: “I want children to gain
confidence, to be optimistic and
have fun. These attributes lead
quite naturally to application and
achievement.” How right he is.
Words Fay Wertheimer
Fact file
1971 Born Andover, Dorset
1992-95 BSc Sports and Exercise Science
Manchester Metropolitan
University
1996 Qualified teacher
1996 Senior School PE/Maths/
Psychology - Hampshire
2002 Director of Studies: Boys’ Games -
Dorset Prep School
2007 Deputy Head; Sheffield Primary
School
2008 Deputy Head: Bakewell: co-ed
boarding school - wife Jane
matron
2012 Headteacher: The Ryleys, Alderley
- max 340 children
Jobs Jousting Stuntman: Lifeguard:
Swimming Teacher: Barman:
Riding Instructor: Groom: Chairman
University Weights Club : College
Conservation Society founder
Interests Every sport conceivable!: Music: IT
Family Married to early years teacher
Jane. Children: Evie, 5,
and James, 9
PEOPLE
JUNE/JULY 2013 I 63