Valete ‘Nic is the archetypal polymath, over the years teaching Chemistry, Maths and Design Technology in addition to Physics. With his exuberant and animated delivery, he is Marlborough’s own mad scientist.’ reluctant Love Island host, ardent teenage celibacy advocate, sometimes sports coach, occasional bare-knuckle boxing referee, resigned zookeeper, confessor and trusted confidant, always ready with a tear-proof shoulder.’ On leaving Cotton House in 2004, Nic was elected President of Common Room. He was Database Manager, Head of Science and a Professional Development Assistant as well as overseeing the Catholic confirmation candidates. Since 2010, Nic has been Governor of Swindon Academy and the Partnership Manager.
Nic arrived at Marlborough in 1986 with a degree in Physics, three years’ teaching at Eton, and six years as a BBC engineer. He quickly made his mark as an excellent teacher of Physics, with a particular fondness for practicals and building his own experiments. His lab has been memorably described as ‘an absolute mess, with bits of projects everywhere!’, but in this description lies Nic’s deep belief in the endless wonder that can be created by a stimulating place of learning. Nic is the archetypal polymath, over the years teaching Chemistry, Maths and Design Technology in addition to Physics. With his exuberant and animated delivery, he is Marlborough’s own ‘mad scientist’. He was appointed Head of Physics and further developed the department’s strong reputation for success. He was appointed as Housemaster of Cotton and was fondly remembered as such: ‘To achieve this happy house, Nic had to wear so many hats. He was part police chief, paternal substitute, therapist,
Away from the classroom he co-founded Swindon Rowing Club; tutored in C1, New Court and Mill Mead; was vice president of the Royal Astronomical Society; trained and led four UK Olympiad in the International Astronomy Competition; served on the Science Council’s Education Planning Committee; and acted as an astronomy consultant.
Charlie Barclay (CR 1997-2022)
Simon Dennis (CR 2009-)
Charlie arrived at Marlborough from Westminster as Head of Physics with Nicola and their children. Due to a lack of accommodation, they were squashed into the Laundry Flat, which was also shared with a rabbit, guinea pig and harpsichord.
Bill Nicholas
Nic Allott The College bids farewell to an enthusiastic, outward-looking teacher, a passionate physicist, a remarkable, wider-thinking scientist, a caring, devout Christian, and an exceptional schoolmaster.
He launched GCSE Astronomy in 1997, becoming Chair of Examiners nationally in 2009 and co-writing the specification. In 2010, he managed to engage English Heritage to come into the College and drill bore holes through the Mound, confirming its Neolithic dating. Perhaps what Charlie will be most remembered for is the Extended Project Qualification, which he piloted in 2007.
He went about his work with quiet dedication in a career that spanned departments and went way beyond the classroom. A truly good and honest man, too modest to admit to the enormous impact he has had on so many people.
Andrew Brown (CR 1981-20)
(CR 1986-2022)
and computerised it. It is now the oldest telescope to be computerised in the world and largest in full-time use in any UK school.
He introduced interactive whiteboards to the College, re-designed a new Physics Prep Room and three new labs, and Nicola designed a new Physics library. He took the telescope apart and restored it
(CR 1998-2022) Bill joined the Chemistry Department in 1998. From the start it was evident that Bill was an excellent communicator, and he has always sustained a real interest in developing pedagogical practice. Rugby played a big part of his life at school and university and, when rugby went professional in the mid-90s, Bill had been on the books of both Bath and Gloucester. Coaching this sport was also a passion; he started on the Yearlings, then moved to the Colts and eventually took on the role of Head of Rugby and 1st XV coach. In the Summer Terms, Bill coached cricket and was a CCF Officer. It didn’t take long for Bill to move into Turner as Resident House Tutor and next he took on the role of Housemaster in Summerfield. Bill worked hard to engender a particular Summerfield style founded on success at house sport and the development of that sense of family that is particularly enjoyed in the out-houses. The Marlburian Club Magazine
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