The HM
After reading Classics at Oxford, he started teaching at Charterhouse before joining Wellington College in September 2006. When he arrived, he was placed in the Benson tutor’s flat, little knowing that it would become such a significant part of his life and that he would one day become Housemaster. He was Master in Charge of Oxbridge before becoming Head of Classics in 2009 and then Head of the Humanities Faculty.
After 10 years of making the mysteries of Latin and Greek clearer to his students, as well as bringing the classical world to life both in the classroom and through trips to Italy and Greece, he became Housemaster of the Benson in 2020. He also spent a year on sabbatical in 2015 at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, USA, the home of the Harkness philosophy, returning even more firmly committed to the importance of student voice and responsibility.
Simon lives in the Benson with his wife, Sarah, and their three daughters. He enjoys the rich variety of College life, having coached various sports before becoming Head of Rock Climbing, organised the Christian Union, instructed in the CCF, and even danced in a ‘Strictly’ show (and now trying to destroy any videos).
In the holidays, he used to spend his time climbing something, whether rock or ice, a boulder or an alpine north face, but now tends to pursue gentler adventures. He hopes that every boy will fully embrace the opportunities available at Wellington, wherever they may lead. He is passionate about ensuring that the Benson is a home away from home, where every boy comes to know himself, gain confidence in who he is, and leave ready to serve others.
The House
Home to 59 boys, the Benson is an out-of-College House which sits in its own beautiful grounds and has wonderful facilities. An extensive garden provides a great place for the boys to play together and the newly refurbed north terrace offers a great out door for boys to meet, work or socialise. The bright and open ground floor holds the House’s social spaces, with a large common room, open-plan kitchen, a games room which accommodates full-size pool table and ping pong tables, and the Prince Consort Library which today holds the Third Form work room. The boarding facilities are spread over the top two floors of the House, comprising three dormitories of three beds for the boys in their first year, and individual boarding spaces for every boy from their second year onwards.
The House ethos is one based on the model of kindness, leadership and looking out for others; this supportive sense of cohesion within and between different year groups enables individuals to perform above their expectations and hopes.
