Meet the Head Teacher

Daniel Gibbons was appointed Head of Our Lady’s Abingdon School in September 2021 bringing a wealth of educational experience including an overseas appointment at the British International School in Jakarta. He was pivotal in developing and improving academic performance across all of his prior schools, and specialises in maximising the valueadded potential for each pupil and the creation of agile and challenging curriculums to cater for a variety of pupil requirements.

Mr Gibbons kindly took some time out of his busy day to answer Families Oxfordshire Magazine’s questions.

WHAT AND / OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A TEACHER AND LATER A HEADTEACHER?

My family background is Irish, and there are a number of great aunts and cousins who were teachers or nuns, and one was a headteacher. In the west of Ireland at the time they were teaching, education was an invaluable way for young people to better themselves, improve their prospects and escape from poverty. I am passionate about the value of education and I am a great believer in opportunity or, more importantly, making the most of opportunity.

WHAT DOES BEING A HEAD OF A SCHOOL MEAN TO YOU?

It is a vocation. Being privileged to lead a great team of staff in providing a plethora of opportunities for our pupils to explore and discover their gifts, and to watch them flourish as they become the best versions of themselves is an honour.

HOW DO YOU THINK A HEAD OF A SCHOOL CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO AN INDIVIDUAL STUDENT?

Recognition of the individual for not only who they are, but who they can become. Empowering staff to challenge each individual in a caring and nurturing manner so that they develop confidence and resilience over time, and learn where their gifts lie must be the mission of every school head in my opinion.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO PARENTS LOOKING AT PRIVATE EDUCATION FOR THE FIRST TIME?

There is a wide variety of independent schools and, as such, there is a great deal of choice. Find the school which matches your child’s needs, not the school which matches the child’s parents’ ambitions.

HOW AFFECTED DO YOU FEEL PUPILS HAVE BEEN BY THE ONGOING PANDEMIC?

Massively, and in a way not recognised before. Mental health issues are defining today’s young generation and, not because they are new, but because we are recognising that young people are growing up and, as such, have challenges and difficulties enough without needing to endure two national lockdowns. I believe that mental health support in the future will provide a much-needed, and long overdue, dimension to schools’ pastoral care.

WHAT SORT OF ADAPTATIONS HAVE BEEN NECESSARY AT OLA TO MAKE STAFF AND CHILDREN SAFE AND SECURE?

We have created a new Designated Mental Health Lead who will coordinate mental health awareness training for pupils, staff and parents.

I SEE THAT YOU SPENT A COUPLE OF YEARS TEACHING AT THE BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL IN JAKARTA, INDONESIA. AS A TEACHER OF GEOGRAPHY AT THE TIME, DID YOU TAKE ANY OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THEIR RAINFORESTS AND ENJOY INDONESIA’S NATURAL ECO-SYSTEM?

Definitely! I visited Krakatoa, and stepped foot on the new cone which has since collapsed into the sea. I hiked up Gunung Gede-Panggrango which is famous for appearing in Alfred Russell Wallace’s book about his travels, and theory of evolution which he arrived at independently of Darwin. At 200 metres above sea level, there are steaming waterfalls as it is volcanic. And, not forgetting, my namesakes, the gibbons, which are heard right across the interior of Java!

WHAT IS YOUR REAL-LIFE SUPERPOWER?

Eye of the storm

RELAXING HOLIDAY OR ACTIVE HOLIDAY?

Bit of both!

OLA is a small school, big enough to offer a wide range of subjects and activities, but small enough to know, value and care for every child.

Their small class sizes allow children to receive individual attention and teachers ignite pupils with fun and innovative learning, ensuring that they are fully engaged in academic life and achieving excellent results.

All pupils are also encouraged to take part in a wide range of co-curricular, confidence-developing activities, including sport, drama, art, music and academic competitions.

Their outstanding system of highly praised pastoral care is at the centre of everything they do.

They see each child as a unique person, with gifts and talents to be nurtured, developing key qualities such as integrity, compassion, co-operation and courage.

If you would like to find out more, please contact their admissions team on 01235 544808 admissions@ola.org.uk www.ola.org.uk/visit