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EPSOM LIFE
Stephen Borthwick
and Henry
every member of staff committed to a
boarding or day House with responsibility
for the academic and pastoral progress of
pupils,” he said.
The extra-curricular programme at the
College is also one of its strengths and
Stephen has been instrumental in its
continued development. “The extracurricular
programme is one of the main
life springs for us at Epsom. Broadening
that programme, organising it and getting
the mix right have been key all through my
time and it is now outstandingly effective,”
he said.
Part of being an effective Headmaster is
to understand the pupils and one of the
best ways to do that is to continue to be
involved in the classroom. Despite his
hectic schedule, Stephen has taught physics
to every M4 year group since he started at
the College, teaching nearly every pupil at
some stage.
“It is, of course, the only job I have ever
been trained to do; academically it has been
fun and I have met all the youngsters as they
have come into the school. It has allowed
me the sight and feel of sets of pupils vital
to our profession as teachers,” he said.
Will he miss being Headmaster of Epsom
College? “It is exciting to have your hand
on the tiller of a big ship and to experience
the sheer buzz of working with youngsters.
It has been a fantastic job and I will miss the
rhythm of life of a boarding school. I will
miss the stimulating challenge of youngsters
“It is exciting to
have your hand
on the tiller of
a big ship and
to experience
the sheer buzz
of working with
youngsters. It
has been a
fantastic job and
I will miss the
rhythm of life of
a boarding school.”
and their parents and the enormous
community of friends amongst the teaching
staff,” he said.
And what does the future hold for him?
Stephen is retiring on the eve of his 61st
birthday and he, his wife Glynis and their
dog, Henry, will live in Symonds Yat, a
house on the banks of the River Wye on the
edge of the Forest of Dean. In addition to
playing an active role in community affairs,
he is already committed to consulting to
educational institutions and schools’
governing bodies.
He will now also have the time to feed
his passion for live music, especially
international opera festivals, as well as to
pursue his lapsed interests in photography,
golf and hill walking.
NEW MAN AT THE HELM
Jay Piggot
James A (Jay) Piggot will become the 13th Headmaster of Epsom College from the
Michaelmas term 2012 following the retirement of Stephen Borthwick. He joins Epsom
from Campbell College in Belfast, where he has been Headmaster for the past seven years.
Jay studied for a BA in English Literature at Cardiff University before completing
a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
A keen rugby player and latterly supporter, he played rugby for the University 1st XV
during his time at Cambridge.
He went on to complete an MA in Renaissance Literature at the University of
Liverpool, before becoming a specialist English teacher, initially at Millfield School in
Somerset and then at Eton College, where he spent seven years as a Housemaster.
“I look forward to working closely with Jay over the coming years to continue to
build on the solid foundations that Stephen has established,” said Chairman of
Governors Dr Andrew Vallance-Owen.
www.epsomcollege.org.uk
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