Dr Anthony Seldon joins HVF as Education Advisor
The Trustees of the Human Values Foundation (HVF) are delighted to announce that Dr Anthony Seldon, one of the most famous and inspiring head teachers in the country — and a pioneer — has agreed to support the HVF as Education Advisor.
Anthony Seldon became the 13th Master of Wellington College in January 2006, having been Headmaster of Brighton College since September 1997. He is also author or editor of over 25 books on contemporary history, politics and education. His think-tank booklet, about 21st century education and an end to ‘factory schools’ was published in January 2010.
With his passion for ALL young people to benefit from a rich, real-life, holistic, contemporary education, the HVF’s “Social and Emotional Education” programme was introduced to Wellington College in April 2008 and its uplifting content meshes well with his philosophy.
Anthony Seldon the teacher ...
After gaining an MA at Worcester College, Oxford and a PhD at the London School of Economics, Dr Seldon qualified as a teacher at King's College, London - winning the top teaching prize in his year. He also has an MBA.
His first teaching appointment was at Whitgift School in Croydon in 1983, where he was Head of Politics. In 1989 he returned to Tonbridge, his old school, and became Head of History and General Studies. In 1993, he was appointed Deputy Headmaster and, ultimately, Acting Headmaster of St Dunstan's College in South London.
Dr Seldon became a much sought after lecturer and advisor while at Brighton College. With his insight into the profound significance of developing the whole child – body, mind and spirit – the outcomes created a range of positive effects, individually and collectively. Under his leadership, A-level results shot up from 55% of students achieving A and B grades to 81%. The college also became highly respected for its arts and creativity.
He is also transforming the co-educational experience of the pupils at Wellington College. In the process of educating these young people, academically and holistically, all the students are actively encouraged to achieve their potential, wherever their particular abilities lie. In 2005 the A and B grade rate for A-levels was 69% but academic standards have leapt, with this attainment level reaching an impressive 92% in 2009.
Sharing a vision ...
Along with the Human Values Foundation, an ever increasing number of educationists, both in state and independent schools, are recognising the enormous and wide-ranging benefits to be gained from ensuring schools are inspiring, vibrant and challenging places, which open the minds and hearts of their pupils, together with those of the teachers, parents, carers and all other members of their communities. An exciting raft of innovative, joined-up strategies are being implemented with the aim of providing transformative experiences that help to develop to the full, each pupil's intellectual, artistic, sporting, spiritual and social faculties, while ensuring that each grows to understand that serving and caring for others bring the highest rewards in life and the greatest likelihood of long-term happiness and fulfilment.
Energetic pioneers like Anthony Seldon are pushing for our education establishments to build upon positive aspects of the past, while also embracing and embedding sound, timeless and unifying values that help to underpin and nurture the extensive range of competencies and essential qualities required by 21st century youngsters to open up and maximise their life chances.
We look forward to Dr Seldon’s wisdom and experience enriching our offerings for those who seek to enable young people to enjoy an abiding sense of meaning and fulfilment as they learn to manage their lives ever smarter, in an increasingly demanding international environment.