Jeremy Kerslake joined Concord 30 years ago, working in the Summer School. He later became a teacher in Main Term, teaching Religious Studies, English and EFL. He has also lived on campus for many years, starting off as House Parent in Bell House, then later Red House eventually moving to Gate Lodge. He was Head of Lower School between 2005 and 2009, and was Director of Studies for Summer Courses for a few years too. He also introduced the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme to Concord in 1995 and, with his wife Julia, ran Concord's Charity Club for many years. Today, as Vice Principal (Pastoral) and Safeguarding Lead, Mr K is responsible for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all the students in campus. 

Huge thanks to 'Mr K' for taking the time out of his very busy schedule to reminisce about the last 30 years!

Q) What were you like as a student? Would you have been a good Concordian?

"I was a Senior Prefect and Head of House when I was a Sixth Former. I was also studious, hard-working and ambitious academically. I was very busy with various extra-curricular activities and took part in many regional and national competitions. Therefore, I think I would have made a good Concordian. However, back then times were different. I partied quite hard too and made some mistakes. I think I would have fitted in quite well with the Concord of 30 years ago, but not so much today! I would have got in trouble and I try to keep this in mind when I speak with students in my office about disciplinary matters."

Q) What first brought you to Concord and what were your first impressions?

"I came to Concord first to work as a Summer Course Tutor. I couldn’t believe that anyone would accommodate, feed me and then pay me for having so much fun in such a beautiful place. I got to try many fun outdoor activities (e.g. caving, gorge walking, climbing, abseiling & canoeing).  It was a tiring and demanding role being a summer course tutor back then with some very long days – such as on trips to London and back again. One of my memories of that summer was having to help wash the hair of a student who had head lice in my capacity as his boarding parent.

I also met Mrs K that summer here at Concord. I kept coming back for the next 3 years partly for the job and partly because I really liked her!"

Tell us more about how you met Mrs K!

"We were Summer Course PE staff together and were put in charge of the disco and snack bar selling sweets and drinks to students. We spent a lot of time together in the cellar of main hall. In those days, the current M1 classroom was our disco and the sweat used to condense on the ceiling and drip back down on to us dancing underneath. I was DJ Kerslake in those days spinning the vinyl records."

What do you like most about living and working on campus?

"The beauty of nature both on and around the campus is hard to beat. While Mrs K and I have both worked at other schools before we moved to join the main term staff here, Concord is special because students really want to learn and succeed. It is cool to be clever at Concord. Students want to learn. Disciplinaries are uncommon. Teaching and sharing your passion for a subject is a joy and a privilege. Concord teachers are also exposed to many cultural differences and it is great to be able to learn from our students about their countries and lives back home."

We have lots of pictures of you in staff performances or dressing up to raise money for charity – what events stick in your memory the most and why?

"Dressing up as Ms Mundo in the swimming pool with a pink curly wig and dressing gown and painting my nails is one lasting memory. Male staff dressing up as women used to happen quite a lot in years gone by. Mrs K doesn’t like me doing it. She says I look disturbingly like my mother."

Many alumni fondly remember your father in law, Principal Tony Morris. Please share any special memories you have of him. 

"Performing YMCA with Mr Morris in the Main Hall during a Christmas concert is a lasting memory. He was dressed as the cowboy. I was the red Indian. Mr Leighton was the builder and I think Mr Foster was dressed in black leather.

Seeing Mr Morris with a broom in his hand brushing up leaves and rubbish outside the Main Hall building is another lasting memory. No job at Concord was beneath him. He expected a lot from others and from his staff, but he led by example."

Of all the roles you've had at Concord, which one have you enjoyed the most and why?

"Favourite job? Tough question. I’ve enjoyed them all. I still love the chance to teach and have just returned to RS teaching after many years of teaching English and/or EFL. I enjoy challenge.

 I was very reluctant to give up the Head of Lower School role as I really enjoy the teaching and care of 13-16 year olds, but I felt I had to take the promotion when I was offered the post of Vice-Principal (Pastoral) & Safeguarding Lead by Mr Hawkins.

No two days are the same in my current role. Students keep finding new ways of keeping me busy. Safeguarding and mental health now take up a lot of my time."

What makes Concord special in your opinion?

"The people. Frank Bell’s vision of bringing people together to learn & live together. Concord is a microcosm of what I wish the world would be like. I try my best to live up to the high standards and expectations we have in terms of kindness and decent behaviour towards others. We are all human. We are all equally important. Nobody is better than anybody else."

What would you be doing now if you didn’t work at Concord?

"I had various other career ideas such as Policeman, Vicar/Priest, Social Worker, Personnel Manager, Prison Officer. My current role includes some of these functions.

After I retire, I am thinking about keeping busy. Opening an ice-cream shop with a view of the sea is one very attractive dream I have. I also like driving and could work for a taxi company and drive Concord students to the airport and back perhaps!?"

Describe your perfect Christmas!

Time spent with family. While we used to have a small number of students stay over Christmas and had quite a lot for the 2 years of the Covid pandemic, the campus is a lovely quiet place to go for a stroll after Christmas dinner and walk off some of those calories! It is even better when there is a covering of snow. Maybe this year. I can only remember one white Christmas Day here when my two daughters were younger and we took them sledging on the campus on Christmas Day.