OV Mark’s Visit

Welcoming OV Mark Loveday (S 91-01) back to King’s was a real pleasure. Mark hadn’t returned to the School since leaving, but had some wonderful memories of his time at King’s, which he was kind enough to share with Alumni Relations Co-ordinator, Amanda Sutcliffe, who accompanied Mark on his walk around the site.

Mark is currently Head of Service at Chadsgrove School in Bromsgrove, and in the new school year will be taking up the post of Headmaster at Frewen College in Sussex, a dyslexia specialist co-educational independent day and boarding school for children aged 7-19 . Mark is also a board director for the national Specific Learning Difficulties Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) and a trustee/director of a Multi Academy School Trust.

Starting in the Science Block, Mark was surprised to see how little had changed, and remembered his time in the Chemistry Labs with Dr Mark Poole (Hon OV). Heading to the Art School, Mark had some very clear and happy memories of his GCSE Art. Speaking with some of the current Upper Sixth, who were themselves preparing for their A-level Art exams, Mark recalled advice he had received from Head of Art, Chris Haywood (Hon OV) to “add more texture” to his pieces and was reassured to learn the students are still similarly encouraged! While speaking with the A-level students, Mark asked their plans for the future, and was interested to learn one of the students was keen to enter Primary School education. Mark very kindly offered to share his contact details with the Careers Office to help future students with potential work experience placements.

An important stop at King’s for Mark was the Geography Block: Mark explained that he was inspired to become a teacher having been taught by Head of Geography, Simon Cuthbertson (Hon OV), so he was delighted to learn that Simon was still at King’s! Both Mark and Simon enjoyed a brief moment to catch up before Simon had to return to teaching. Simon added, “It was a great, and welcome, surprise when Mark popped his head around my classroom door on his visit. I always enjoy seeing OVs when they come back to King’s and hearing about how their lives have progressed since leaving school. It was particularly special to see Mark after nearly 25 years, and humbling to find out how he had been inspired in his career choice! I’d like to wish Mark all the best for this next chapter of his life and look forward to hearing more about it.”

Visiting the Michael Baker Boathouse, Mark admired the facility that had been built in the time since he was at King’s. Looking out from The Boathouse across School Gardens, Mark commented how pupils, including himself at the time, may not fully appreciate what they have while they are at King’s, but they are such great surroundings and offer incredible opportunities.

School House brought back some wonderful memories for Mark, recalling with accuracy his House Room and where his House Tutors used to be. Walking through School House, they met with Head of Sixth Form, OV Josh Hand (Cl 91-01), who had been a contemporary of Mark’s at school.

Speaking about his visit, Mark added, “It was lovely to see King’s again; I can’t believe it’s been 23 years, it only felt like yesterday since I was there! It was great to see Josh Hand, and also Mr Sharp. Please say hello to Mr Haywood; I still have my GCSE Art project based on the artist Kurt Jackson from the St Ives Art Trip! It was really lovely to catch up with Mr Cuthbertson; he really inspired me when I was at King’s and started my love of Geography; please do pass on my sincere thanks to him for taking the time to catch up.

“It was great to see some of the projects you read about in The Vigornian and Connect in real life: The Keyes Building is very impressive and I really like the new Art School! Alongside new developments, it was great to see so much of King’s had remained unchanged, although suitably updated for the modern day; School House brought back so many memories, although it felt very odd not seeing Mr Bain sitting in his office or hearing the bellowing tones coming from Mr Thompson’s classroom!.”