Andrew Martin

What makes a good teacher at Bedales?

Someone who loves what they're doing. 

What are you trying to encourage and instil in your students?

The school motto - ‘work of each for weal of all’.

I want students to know how to create something that serves other people; that leaves the world a slightly better place than it was beforehand. The things we’re teaching might look simple, such as hedge laying, pizza-making, vegetable growing, timber framing or animal rearing, but they leave students with a profound understanding and appreciation of what it takes to make a thing of use or beauty.

Apart from your teaching role, what else do you get involved with at the school?

I have overall responsibility for all the livestock on the estate and the running of the school farm. Ensuring the animals are happy, healthy and well fed is a 365-day job; after all, the sheep still insist on getting their heads stuck in the fence on Christmas Day!

The farm shop also takes up time. We fund the farm by selling produce to parents and the local community which gives the students real ownership of and purpose to their work. I also help the Drama department with props and locations; sit on the Landscape and Planning Committee to help ensure the Bedales ethos is reflected throughout the estate; and work with the local community, for example planting trees on the village common and inviting Steep Primary School to visit the animals.

In your opinion, what makes Bedales special?

It has to be the students. The end product is incredible! When you talk to a Sixth Former in particular they will always look you in the eye and have a genuine conversation with you. I don’t know of any other school where this happens to the same extent.

What is your best memory of Bedales?

Lambing always gets me! Watching the students help new life enter the world is always a moving experience.

Who or what inspires you?

My wife and kids… just because it’s a predictable answer doesn’t make it not true! Also, my dad. I was brought up on an Irish dairy farm and always have his voice in the back of my head as a kind of guide that I can’t ever really turn off!

Tell us something not a lot of people know about you.

I’m quite shy.