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17
ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Andrew Grounds
What do you do atTeddies and how long have you
been here?
I am currently Head of Middle School (Fourth and Fifth
Forms), Master in Charge of Rugby and a Maths teacher but
in September I will become Housemaster of Tilly’s. This is my
seventh year at the school.
Where were you before?
I was previously at Bedford Modern School as Head of House
and Deputy in the Maths Department.
Where did you study?
I took my A Levels at Coopers’ Company and Coborn
School in Essex, my degree in Mathematics and Management
Studies at Brunel University, a PGCE at the University of
Bedfordshire and a MSc in Learning and Teaching at Kellogg
College, Oxford.
What school activities are you involved in?
I am mainly involved in the rugby programme here at St
Edwards as Master in Charge. I have also been Master in
Charge of Squash and helped coach the 3rd XI at cricket.
What do you like about working atTeddies?
I enjoy the normality of the place. Pupils and staff have
positive relationships with each other and the Common
Room is a real strength of the School.
What do you like about living in Oxford?
I enjoy the balance of the historic buildings, the beautiful
scenery when going for a walk across Port Meadow and the
facilities a city can provide.
Tell us about your family.
My wife, Emma, works in the Development Office. We have
two young boys Elliott, 7, and William, 6, and a dog, Tinky.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with my family, playing and watching
sports, including rugby, squash and football, watching films
and listening to podcasts.
What made you want to be a Housemaster?
I enjoy building positive relationships with pupils, creating a
strong team culture and seeing their growth from Shells into
young adults ready for the outside world.
Did you enjoy your schooldays?
On the whole, yes; I used to get in trouble with my French
teacher on a regular basis due to my love for watching
Sharpe
.
What was the naughtiest thing you did at school?
We used to hide inside the CDT work-tops and then tell the
teacher that the invisible pupils had just walked out of the
lesson. It was like a Benny Hill sketch.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Always look at yourself in the mirror first before you blame
others.