Rhubarb 2021

ST EDWARD’S

forged their love of theatre within its walls. Indeed, it was a time of considerable growth for the school.The Martyrs Pavilion was opened in 2009 and this, too, was unique in its scope; designed by celebrated architect John Pawson, it heralded a golden era of cricket at St Edward’s which continues to this day. In the same year, the Ogston Science Building was opened providing a magnificent eco-friendly space for life sciences, and the School acquired the

ANDREW FREDERICK TROTMAN | TWELFTH WARDEN 2004-2011

AndrewTrotman arrived at St Edward’s in 2004 after nine years as headmaster of St Peter’s,York. He had close connections with Oxford: an undergraduate at Balliol,

FEATURE

forces compromises on us all, he nevertheless liked to shape policies from first principles. ‘What is our objective?’ was a question he frequently posed.These were difficult times when fluctuating economic conditions and the vastly increased interference by the state in the affairs of private schools posed challenges for all headmasters. In 1997 he completed the move to full co-education with all that implied for the School’s future. It presupposed a building programme to cope with this change and an enlarged School. By 2003 there were 646 pupils on the roll and rising. Rising too were the academic standards. So crucial and successful were these years of growth that the governors asked Christie to extend his stay until 2004. On retiring from the School, David Christie served on the Board of Ecclesiastical Insurance and became its Deputy Chairman. He also acted as Education Adviser toThe Haberdashers' Livery Company which, in addition to its well known independent schools, runs a number of Academies. He is currently a Trustee of St Andrews Links Trust which looks after the seven golf courses in and around the town.

he had taught at Radley and Abingdon School and had relatives living in and around the city. A kind and courteous man who was known for his humility and innate decency, he was committed to the Arts in general and English in particular. He taught all Shells English so that he got to know every Shell pupil to some extent by the end of their first year. Andrew built strong links with many prep schools and made a particular point of visiting as many of these as possible, keeping a large map in his study marked to show the schools he had visited.The completion of The NorthWall in 2005 was the realisation of a long-term vision and what was most outstanding was the ambition at its core: a leading Arts venue in Oxford which would produce its own works and synthesise this professionalism with the artistic endeavours of our pupils. It has achieved this and more, and notable luminaries of the stage and screen

Lemon Tree and Jack FM building in 2010. Andrew oversaw the introduction of the International Baccalaureate in September 2008 which transformed our academic offering at Sixth Form. It continues to be a popular option alongside A Level with 50% of the School’s Sixth Form choosing it. After St Edward’s, Andrew went on to be acting head at two other large schools, became an educational advisor for two charitable trusts and formed a company in Oxford which specialises in school leadership and leadership development.

By Simon Roche and Lorna Roche

By Malcolm Oxley

David Christie with Douglas Herd MP

The North Wall

10