Teacher Feature – Mr Simon Wrafter

Teacher Feature

Mr Simon Wrafter, Head of the Preparatory School

What is your role at Tettenhall College?

Head of the Preparatory School, and I used to be the Deputy Head Academic. I teach art, maths, philosophy and RS and have dabbled in cooking too this year!

What did you do before you came to Tettenhall College?

I was the Head of Creative Arts, Assessment and Reporting Coordinator and Curriculum and timetable manager at Lacon Childe School in Cleobury, South Shrops. I’ve also taught in Essex, Birmingham, Australia and St Helena. And I’ve moderated GCSE work for each exam board over the years.

If you hadn’t become a teacher, what would you have done instead?

I have freelanced as a designer, and been commissioned to create paintings and drawings and also worked in psychiatric care. Probably one of these!

What is your favourite thing about TC life?

The people around me: staff and pupils alike

What are you reading at the moment?

I’m juggling the Maze Runner series (as recommended by one of my sons) with Crime and Punishment on my kindle.

Who do you admire and why?

My sister is something of an inspiration – living life to the full after great tragedy.

What was your favourite subject at school and why?

It varied between maths and history: depending on which teacher took my class

What is your favourite film?

I don’t think I have one: there are some that have great memories attached and stories, characters or music that I could watch again and again – Shawshank, the original King Kong, Python’s Holy Grail, Up, Moulin Rouge . . .

If you could be Prime Minister for the day, what is the first thing that you would do?

Separate the legislature from education as far as possible – to mitigate against constant change and politically driven agendas that are not always in pupils’ best interests (dare I mention SATS or League Tables). Not sure I’d get that done in a day though – perhaps I’d settle for meeting up with a fellow leader over a cup of tea: President Obama or Aang San Suu Kyi would be fascinating to spend time with!