Mandy Marks 25 Years at Bancroft’s

Mandy is celebrating an incredible 25 years at Bancroft’s. She wears many hats, Junior Housemistress of School House, History teacher, and Head of Tennis.

We caught up with her to chat about her tennis career, her journey from Old Bancroftian to teacher, and the moments she’s most proud of from her quarter-century (and counting!) at the school.

So Mandy, where did your passion for tennis begin? 

I actually wanted to play football as a child and I even played in the Chase Lane School playground with David Beckham! But there were no girls’ teams back then, and I wasn’t allowed to join the boys. Then my mum spotted a local tennis club in the Chingford Guardian which was just down the road from us.

She signed me up and that is where everything changed.

I fell in love with tennis straight away. I started with weekly lessons, then local tournaments, and before long I was competing at national level.

I won my first national title U11s and from then until U18s, I was ranked British junior number one. I ended up winning every national singles and doubles title in that age range, around twelve titles in total.

By the age of eleven, I was playing for Great Britain.

My first international was in Sweden, and soon I was travelling across Europe and even South America. I played Junior Wimbledon from the age of fourteen, and at seventeen, while still in the Lower Sixth, I qualified for Senior Wimbledon where I won my first match against a world top 100 player.

That was one of the best moments of my life.

It was incredible but not as luxurious as it may sound, especially as a teenager. I did feel alone at times; not everybody wants to talk to you because they are your rivals. That said, it definitely taught me a lot of resilience, independence, and the value of determination.

Looking back, I am incredibly proud of that journey.

What has the journey been like to Head of Tennis?

I loved the discipline and strategy involved in tennis. When I came back to Bancroft’s as a teacher, I wanted to share that passion with our pupils and help build a strong tennis culture here.

Over the years, I have worked hard to expand tennis opportunities for both boys and girls at the school.

Boys’ tennis was not thriving when I joined, but that changed when two boys, Kale Francis and Ethan Cohen, asked me to run a boys inter-house tennis tournament.They even donated a trophy, the Francis-Cohen Cup.

That grassroots enthusiasm helped spark a boys’ programme across all years, which is so rewarding to see flourish.

What are some memorable or proud moments from your time at Bancroft’s?

There are so many! Wimbledon trips are always magical. I love surprising pupils with tickets from the school ballot. Walking through those gates with them is unforgettable.

A really proud moment for me is the Greenhouse Tennis Festival, which we are now in our third year of hosting.

It is a partnership with the Greenhouse Sports Charity and the LTA Tennis Association. We invite students from schools that might not normally get access to tennis facilities.

Some of these children may never played in a competitive tennis tournament before. Seeing them gain confidence, win matches, and have proud parents cheering them on is incredibly rewarding. It really underscores tennis’s potential to break down barriers, which is important to me because the sport can often feel exclusive or expensive.

Old Bancroftian reunions are special too. I love seeing former pupils come back, hearing their stories, and reminiscing. Megan Howlett, one of my very first History students, even brought a folder full of the memories she made in our Thirds lessons.

You juggle other roles alongside being Head of Tennis. Tell us a bit about that.

It is a challenge but a rewarding one.

I enjoy working with different year groups in various contexts. History keeps my mind engaged, being Junior Housemistress allows me to support students beyond the classroom, and Tennis lets me share a lifelong passion.

Teamwork is everything. Luke Brennand, Head of History, is fantastic to work with and always happy to help.

In the pastoral role, we have a close-knit team of House Staff and relationships are built on good camaraderie, trust, and real care and it makes all the difference.

The staff who support Tennis are incredible, even giving up Saturdays for sessions and fixtures. Josh Stokes, who I once taught, is now a brilliant tennis coach.

I take my hat off and bow to them all; I truly could not run the programme without their dedication.

Looking ahead, what do you hope to see in the future, both in sport and at Bancroft’s?

The girls’ football programme expanding has been a joy, especially since I was once a keen footballer myself. It is lovely to see these opportunities now. I would like all pupils to feel encouraged, welcomed, and supported in trying every sport.

Discovering new passions is what it is all about.

Mandy, it’s been a pleasure hearing about your journey. Thank you for sharing it with us, we’re looking forward to all the Tennis events still to come this summer.