Worksop College is a 'gem' says headteacher

John Price, a teacher of 27 years, told how he wants to overcome the ‘barrier’ between the private, fee-paying school and local people.

Father-of-two John - whose dad worked a second job as a bingo caller in the evenings to help keep his family afloat - said his own state school education was a far cry from that on offer at the 125-year-old Bassetlaw school.

John told how the most important part of education at Worksop College was ‘educating the whole person’.

He said: “No-one knew me at my school - you were just a number and I don’t want anyone to feel like that here.

“When I hear about someone doing well I write them a card.

“We encourage a lot of extra-curricular activities to provide opportunities to discover talent in young people - there may be some who are good at sport or music.

“Or there may be some who don’t seem good at anything - but it’s our job to find those talents and channel them in the right direction.”

At Worksop College John proudly states how pupils at the school start learning a musical instrument from ‘nursery age’ - contributing not just to language and coordination skills but emotional intelligence.

He said: “There’s a link between music and academic success - it helps with coordination and language skills right through to cognitive development.

“Singing demands focused attention and careful listening.

“The most important thing in life is to have self-confidence and a sense of self-worth and emotional intelligence is vital - and that’s where music helps.”

As part of his drive to open the school up to others in the district John hosted 200 primary school children for a choir workshop with acapella group Voces8.

He hosts regular jazz evenings which are open to music lovers across the area, North Notts Choir and ladies hockey club and Worksop Harriers athletics club.

John said 60-70 per cent of the school’s rolls are comprised of local children - 10-15 per cent of whom are on scholarships.

He said: “We have at least 300 young people and adults from the local community using these facilities every week.

“I just want people to realise this place is a gem - we are as important for regeneration of the town as anything else.

“Some people want to send their kids to independent school - for me a good education is the best gift you can give your child.

“I’m not saying this is the best place to do that but it depends on what you want for your children.”

As part of the school’s commitment to educating well-rounded young people John is planning Saturday morning workshops focusing on resilience, adaptability and emotional intelligence.

The sessions - which he wants to open up to state school pupils in the area - would include activities such as public speaking promoting ‘self-confidence without arrogance’.