What the Good Schools Guide Says About Teddies

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ST EDWARD’S, OXFORD

Read on for the unedited, unabridged Good Schools Guide review of St Edward’s.

Warden Since 2021, Alastair Chirnside, previously Harrow deputy; before that, Eton, as head of year, head of classics, housemaster. Hasn’t strayed far from his own beginnings: Dragon, Eton (King’s Scholar) and Merton College, Oxford, where he won a congratulatory first in Classics and French and a half-blue (lightweight rowing). Quick stint as fund manager at Schroders before returning to the fold. Now back in Oxford, this time with tweenage daughters at the Dragon (one joining Teddies imminently) and wife Zannah, who works in communications team.

Aims to foster ‘scholarship, excellence and a culture of service’ at Teddies, hitherto known more for its friendliness than any of the above. ‘A standout headmaster,’ parents say. Clever, professional (‘it never slips!’, we hear), doesn’t miss a beat – happy talking to mere mortals too, responding thoughtfully to our questions. Scholarly, but not lofty – and very nice. He’s ‘pushing up standards’, parents tell us, ‘ripping the school into shape’. Has reformed curriculum, senior management and houseparent teams, tightened up free time. Has also got people talking, including a few unsettled old guard who thought it was ‘fine before’. And yet – hey presto! – applications are up up up. Families turning up in their droves (and their Land Rovers). Parents either delighted (‘thrilled we got in!’) or nervous (‘we’re terrified our youngest’s not going to make it…’).