Back to Year 5: Why Hatherop Castle Offers Something Truly Special

Earlier this term, I did something rather unusual for a Headmaster, I swapped my office chair for a Year 5 classroom seat and spent the morning as a pupil. No emails, no meetings, no phone calls. Just a pencil case, a timetable, and a healthy dose of curiosity.

Looking back, the experience reminded me so clearly of what makes a Hatherop education so special, and why it offers something far beyond what’s typically found elsewhere.

My morning began in the Art Studio, a calm, light-filled space that immediately inspired creativity. Under the expert guidance of Mrs Thomas, our specialist Art teacher, I joined the children in a still life project, sketching a mug, fruit, and plant combination with more focus than I’ve ever applied to a spreadsheet. Mistakes weren’t frowned upon but embraced as part of the learning journey. I learnt more about drawing in that one lesson than I did in all my Prep School years. If I happen to disappear from my office one day, you’ll probably find me back in the Art Studio, quietly trying to make my plant look less like a tree.

Next came Games on the rugby field. I’ve played a fair bit of rugby in my time, but playing alongside Year 5 was something else entirely. The children warmed up together as a squad and practised defensive formations ahead of their upcoming fixture. In just 50 minutes (or closer to 40, once you count changing time!), the coaching was rich, focused and inclusive. Not every pupil relishes contact rugby, and I was struck by how skilfully the coaches adapted to each child’s needs. This, for me, is the beauty of small class sizes and specialist teaching, every pupil is seen, known and supported.

In English, we explored how to describe Tom’s Midnight Garden in vivid detail. The creativity in the room was infectious. Adjectives, verbs, and personification flowed effortlessly, and one pupil’s description was so beautiful it deserved applause. The children’s confidence and imagination shone through, demonstrating their ability to think boldly and express themselves with clarity and flair.

My final lesson was Science, where we looked at adaptations in desert animals, the Fennec Fox in particular. I discovered that its enormous ears help regulate body temperature, and I watched the pupils record their findings on Microsoft OneNote before sharing them on the big screen. The seamless use of technology was impressive, but even more so was the children’s curiosity and understanding. The lesson embodied what we strive for at Hatherop, a balance of traditional teaching and innovative learning.

Throughout the morning, I was struck by the variety of subjects, from art and sport to creative writing and science, all taught by passionate specialists who know their pupils inside out. The children moved confidently from lesson to lesson, prepared and focused, always eager to learn.

Break time offered another reminder of what makes our school so distinctive. Watching children from different year groups playing together with such warmth, laughter and friendship captured the true essence of Hatherop. I was particularly impressed by the agility displayed on the monkey bars, though I wisely decided to spectate rather than compete, no one needs to see the Headmaster outperformed by a ten-year-old!

Would I do it again? Absolutely. The morning reaffirmed everything I love about this school, the energy, the curiosity, the joy of learning. Hatherop Castle is a place where every child is encouraged to be ambitious, creative, and kind. And, for one morning at least, I was lucky enough to experience that magic for myself.