Meet James Smith: A Familiar Face…
As the Spring Term begins and exams draw near, we take a moment to spotlight James Smith, a Old Bancroftian who returned to the school as a staff member in 2019. We were curious to find out what it's like to go from sitting exams at Bancroft's to helping pupils tackle them.
A Love for Biology
“The school has always been a special place to me, so I wanted the opportunity to be part of it again.”
James’s fascination with the natural world, inspired by watching David Attenborough documentaries as a teenager, led him to pursue a degree in Zoology at the University of Nottingham. He admits with a laugh:
“If I hadn’t gone into teaching, I would have liked to be David Attenborough’s cameraman.”
He then completed his teacher training through the Teach First programme in Lincoln, where he began his career as a biology teacher.
In the classroom, James enjoys bringing creativity to his lesson planning and finds immense satisfaction in helping pupils develop. “One of the nicest things about teaching is that every lesson is a fresh opportunity to help pupils make progress.”
Nurturing Community as Senior House Master
As Senior House Master for East House, James draws on his own experiences at Bancroft’s to build a strong sense of identity among pupils.
“When I was here as a pupil, being part of School House was such a defining part of school life.”
All houses at Bancroft’s enjoy weekly assemblies, collaborative events, and individual pastoral support. James values the sense of ‘continuity’ that comes from pupils remaining in the same house throughout their time at school.
School Life: Then and Now
James remembers his school days warmly, though he admits his talents were better suited to the stage than the sports pitch! From participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, to taking a performance to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and attending ski trips, he made lifelong memories and friendships.
“You make friends here that you share a huge amount of experiences with.”
Now, as a teacher, James values the opportunity to see new generations of pupils create similar memories. He is involved in school trips, from skiing to CCF summer camps, and enjoys witnessing pupils’ growth and confidence through these experiences.
“Whether it’s being with pupils on GCSE results day or supporting them in securing places at fantastic universities, those moments are incredibly rewarding. The nicest thing, particularly in this role, is seeing how willing staff are to go above and beyond for pupils when they need it.”