INSPIRED BY THEM : MARGARET GILMORE
Walking through Chamber Court
GCSE History exam before studying it at Pre-U level in the sixth form , because the school deemed the GCSE History curriculum too limited . We were concerned it might put him at a disadvantage . Five years on do we still think that disadvantage outweighs the wider benefits he received ? I have to concede — no .
Of course exams remain a good measure of someone ’ s ability to learn and concentrate under pressure . Winchester does that well , which is not surprising since there is an academic entrance exam to get in . But the wider teaching seems to have prepared those we ’ ve spoken to for greater challenges in life .
There is another element which comes out in our interviews — the desire to give back to society . I have spent most of my career in public service , as a BBC Correspondent specialising first in foreign affairs , meeting world leaders in many different fields , then specialising in the environment , and finally reporting on terrorism and policing . Today I sit on the boards of independent public service regulators . It seems that a commitment to serve society is also something inculcated at Winchester . Oliver Goodall refers to this in his interview , adding , ‘ Winchester made me more considerate of others and more accepting of the differences between people .’ Professor Elkington is driven by a passion to reduce tuberculosis deaths in poorer populations .
As you will have read , the Headmaster and the Warden develop this idea and these views have been captured through a series of interviews . Both share a vision which involves broadening horizons , embracing a more global culture at the school and celebrating diversity not just of thought but of gender , race and religion . Perhaps most importantly they both talk of seeking new ways to help educate those who can ’ t afford to come to Winchester , reviewing and retargeting the bursary system , and investigating whether the online classes that worked so well during COVID could be adapted to reach those less advantaged , worldwide . And of course taking the historic but timely decision to admit girls .
I will give away no more — but read on and you will find some extraordinary and uplifting stories .
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