Spring Edition 2018

HEAD SPACE
Who or what inspired
you to teach?
I loved my own school
days. I had some fantastic
teachers who inspired
me and opened my
mind to all manner of
opportunities.
What sort of music do
you listen to? Favourite
piece or song?
I have eclectic tastes
in music which range
from opera (bel canto)
through to contemporary
folk sounds including
Bear’s Den and
Mumford and
Sons. I’ve been
fortunate enough
to teach members
of both bands!
Favourite play or
musical?
I know this might not
be terribly highbrow, but
with my background in
French and History I
would have to say Les Miserables.
What’s your personal motto?
There are no such things as
challenges, only opportunities.
If you could only bring three
things to a desert island, what
would they be?
My phone (but only for the
music!), a pen and some paper
- I’m counting these as one; a
Swiss Army knife.
If you were invisible for a
day, what would you do?
I would sneak into the
Oval Office to see what’s
actually going on in the
White House.
HEAD space
Paul Vanni, incoming Head of
Kensington Park School, tells us what
makes him tick at school and beyond
Your top three phone Apps?
BBC, as I’m a news junkie,
Wordbrain for a bit of mental
gymnastics and Star Chart
because my son got a new
telescope for Christmas!
Favourite food?
Monkfish wrapped in pancetta,
preferably served with a nice
white Cotes du Rhone.
Your greatest
movie of all time?
There are so
many fantastic
ones! Schindler’s
List, Dances
With Wolves,
Interstellar, Forrest
Gump... these would
all be close to the
top of my list.
Something you always
have on your work desk?
A lovely photograph of
my children.
Why, in your opinion, is
your school the best?
Kensington Park School
offers flexibility and a
personalised approach
to education through
small classes, as well as an
exciting and innovative
co-curricular provision.
Our domestic and
international partnerships,
our tech-rich approach to
education and the proven
track record of our
teachers (many of whom
have taught in leading
independent schools)
ensures our students are
equipped to make the
most of opportunities the
future offers.
What three things do you need
to be a successful headmaster?
1. A committed team of people
around you whom you get on
with and trust 2. Resilience 3.
A good sense of humour.
Best advice you would give one
of your new school joiners?
Embrace all the opportunities on
offer and enjoy yourself. Work
hard but remember that a good
education is about so much
more than just what goes on in
the classroom. If you have any
difficulties or concerns, make
sure you tell your tutor.
PHOTOGRAPHY: © SHUTTERSTOCK, PIXABAY, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
58 schoolnotices.co.uk ★ SPRING 18