When I became Principal at Brampton in 2023, I made it part of my personal mission to ensure that a Brampton education could be defined by more than just academic success and university destinations. Of course these things are crucial, and, ultimately, why so many students choose us, but of equal importance to me is the character and attitude of the students we send off into the world post-A level or GCSE and the values that we have helped to instil in them.
For that reason I take pride to note two of the highlights of the academic year so far for me. Firstly, the visit to Brampton by two-time, Team-GB Olympian Abi Oyepitan – truly an opportunity for students to be inspired, for them to reflect on their own journeys and to understand that the road to true success is rarely smooth and never easy.
Even more inspirational to me was my visit to Middlesex university with Lindsay Jacobs (Vice Principal) to see nine Brampton students, mentored by Zahra Latif (Lead Practitioner) and Jesse Aberbach (Environmental Coordinator) present to a group of PGCE (teacher training) humanities students from the university on the topic of Climate Change Education. I can’t remember a time I was more proud of a group of Brampton students. The quality of their presentation was exceptional and for them to have the courage and confidence to stand in front of a room of graduates, many of whom will have had careers before deciding to qualify as teachers, was exceptional. Not only that, but their ability to engage and direct the learning and understanding of the group through questioning, group work, facilitated discussions and high-quality presentation skills was inspiring to see.
I was immediately reminded that two of Brampton’s stated aims and values are:
- To empower and inspire students through education inside and outside the classroom
- To be outward looking, understanding our impact on the local and global community and to seek ways to have a positive impact on the world around us
Both were on show that morning in Middlesex. After the students had delivered their session – part of Middlesex’s ‘Teach the Teacher’ programme – I felt I had to say a few words of praise and thanks to them. One thing I said, partly for the benefit of the PGCE students in the room, was that teaching is the best job in the world and not because of any of the reasons some people might think, but because, if you’re lucky in your career, you might get to meet and work with students like the nine Brampton students who were there for that event.
Each one of them was an inspiration and I cannot credit them highly enough. When my time at Brampton is up, I promise those nine that I will always remember how fantastic they were that day and how proud they made me feel of them and of the work we do with young people in this college day-in, day-out.
John Wilson, Principal
After what will be six years with the college, our Principal, John Wilson, will be leaving us at the end of the current academic year to take up a new role at a school in Central London. We wish John well and thank him for his exceptional service and contribution to the college and his commitment to our students.