The King's (The Cathedral) School

Peterborough
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The King's (The Cathedral) School

Peterborough

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Aims

Henry VIIIThe purpose of the Association is to provide opportunities for former pupils of the school to meet and keep in touch with one another, as well as with the teaching staff and Governors and to further the interests of the school by giving it every assistance.

 

Contents

News

  • DAVID RHYS DAVIES

    When David joined KSP in 1970, his previous Head wrote ‘You are fortunate to obtain his services, I shall lose him with very great regrets.’ And my goodness, we were indeed most fortunate. David gave many years of top-quality service to our school community, and to the generations of students he taught, guided and served. Joining as an Assistant Master, as it was expressed then, to teach Geography at £1240 p/a, David and Caryl moved into the Minster Precincts, and he began his long, outstanding career here.

    David was a leading figure in the development of King’s. As one of the few staff to have held senior appointments on both the academic and pastoral sides of school life, he played a pivotal role in what the School in the 1970s and onwards set out to achieve, and to become. One colleague wrote – an all-round super man, and brilliant teacher, who made a massive contribution to KSP. He was a tower of strength in every aspect of what a KSP education was then, and building on that, indeed very largely what it still is today.

    When I arrived as a young teacher, my earliest recollection of David, the Head of Geography, is a vision in walking boots and anorak, carrying clipboards and OS maps wrapped in rainproof plastic, striding off into the distance surrounded by excited 12-year-olds at Stibbington Outdoor Centre. He was ‘in charge of the environment’, and was off to ‘do the environment’, in the days before ‘doing the environment’ was the focus it perhaps is today. I recall too his love of Geology, obviously directly linked to his beloved ‘Physical Geography’, and being amazed by his collection of rocks and fossils that came out at lunchtimes and after-school in special classes. He was a leader in fieldwork, before GCSE made fieldwork a must. Snowdonia, Scarborough, Swanage saw regular study-visits, often prioritised above family time and his own holidays. Neither must we forget his love of, and enthusiasm for, rugby, his Saturday afternoons coaching and refereeing the 2nd XV, who can forget the green shirt and fetching shorts!

    As a Geographer, David was an enthusiast in all its forms, with a breadth of knowledge, hugely admired by colleagues and students alike. He was the guru of tectonic plates and glaciation, and inspired an ongoing love of the subject, and a desire for travel and discovery.

    As a Head of Department, he was well-organised, with a wealth, I mean box-loads, and cabinet-loads of resources, a conscientious preparer, for himself and others, and thorough marker, a role-model and a meticulous example of a professional teacher. He was a great support for his colleagues, in terms of materials, organisation and discipline. Nothing was too much trouble, whatever the cost in terms of his own time and effort. Sharon, a former colleague, wrote – ‘I was so fortunate to have benefitted from David’s love and curiosity of geography during the initial stages of my career. A huge inspiration who has definitely shaped the geography teacher I have become. I still make much use of the books he gave me’.

    He brought the same strength, energy and attention to detail to his later pastoral role as Head of Sixth Form, and later UCAS Coordinator, post-his first retirement. In this role, he was second-to-none. He dedicated hours to hundreds, if not thousands, of university references, each crafted and amended in several versions, and written out long-hand; this established an exceedingly successful template, still the basis for the School’s system today. Generations of senior pupils have reason to be, and certainly are, grateful to David, to judge by all the comments left in recent time on social media. He supported their academic progress, their personal development and ensured a smooth transition into life-after-school. He had, and made time for them all, making each one feel special. So many have written of his kindness, his calm supportiveness, and how he commanded respect without ever raising his voice.

    As a colleague, and as a man, David was gentle, modest, courteous, always considerate of others, he never had a bad word for even the most trying or demanding of us. He had remarkable energy, tenacity and dedication, and total sincerity and integrity. He gave his all for his students, his colleagues and the School, and everyone who worked with him recognises that, and will forever hold him in the highest esteem and greatest respect. A superb teacher and a true gentleman. May he rest in peace

    Trevor Elliott

Dates for your Diary and Forthcoming Events

  • Annual Reunion at the Brewery Tap - Saturday 27 December 2025
  • AGM 2026 - Wednesday 25 February 2026 from 6pm

Previous

  • Paul Faupel
    The School is very sad to announce the death of Paul Faupel. Paul was an outstanding English teacher at King’s between 1994 and 2017. Paul joined us from East London and, although quite tentative at first, he very quickly showed the depth of ability and character that made him the excellent classroom practitioner he was. He taught English throughout the School and in the early days some KS3 History and Sixth Form General Studies, too. 

    Over time he built up a particular bond with his colleague, Sue Paine, in A-Level English Language and Literature. Their erudition and teamwork were outstanding, producing some of the best results in the School, indeed throughout the country.

    As a teacher, Paul was kind, gentle, encouraging and empowering, always thoroughly prepared, ready to give time and support to any student in need. His quiet, inspirational style was hugely admired by all his students and colleagues, who saw in him a teacher of real commitment and dedication, ever supportive and ready to share his expertise. He had the uncanny ability of being able pass on his passion for the English language and its literature to his students at every level.

    Outside the classroom, Paul was for many years Housemaster of St Chad’s, as well as joining school theatre visits, a Classics trip to Italy and an expedition to Costa Rica.

    As a man, Paul never sought the limelight. He was a very private person, modest, humble and understated. His main loves and pastimes were reading and the natural environment. At home he had several greenhouses with a considerable collection of orchids and succulents. He went bird-watching whenever he could; indeed, he travelled the world to follow this hobby, to see flowers, birds, insects and mammals in India, Cambodia, Guatemala and Africa. Closer to home, he loved to walk in Ferry Meadows and Castor Hanglands, and was a keen angler.

    Paul had suffered from cancer for some time, and bore his final illness with great dignity. Visiting him in his last days, our discussions always turned to The King’s School; his eyes would light up with joy when he spoke of his time at the School and his memories of the pupils he had taught.

    I am in touch with Paul’s family. If any past students or colleagues have any messages or tributes, I would be delighted to pass them on. Trevor Elliott

  • Cheryl Broad
    Cheryl Broad, a former teacher at King’s, has sadly passed away after a battle with cancer. Cheryl arrived at The King’s School in 1993 as a part-time teacher of History. As her children James, Matthew and Ellen (all educated here at King’s) got older, Cheryl became full-time.

    Cheryl then became Head of History, presiding over a team that achieved unprecedented success, establishing History as one of the best performing departments in our School. Her professionalism and effectiveness as a classroom practitioner were acknowledged with her award of Advanced Skills Teacher status, with which she used her experience to help colleagues develop their own practice. For many years, Cheryl was Head of St Peter’s House and throughout this time she also served as a form tutor. It may be fitting that St Peter’s won House Music this year, perhaps in honour of such a wonderful lady.

    As our School expanded, Cheryl was appointed to the position of Assistant Headteacher with responsibility for Key Stage 4 as well as various other responsibilities, a position that she fulfilled with great aplomb. All of us that have been privileged to work with her were awestruck by her ability to tell the wood from the trees, to deal with students fairly but compassionately and to significantly contribute to the strategic planning of our future.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time. Helen Birch

Officers

President: John Harrison
Chairman: Chris Dunn
Vice Chairman: Trevor Elliott
Secretary: Heather Biccarino
Treasurer: Trevor Elliott
Media Officer: Chris Dunn

Honorary Vice-Presidents

Michael Barcroft
Gary Longman
Darren Ayling

Committee

Alison Amps (Staff)
Sarah Davies (née Mahoney)
Louise Laprun
Mark Ruffles
Langford Smith (Honorary)
Ian Snowdon
Lucy Willis (Staff)

Kiri Baker (OPA Administrator) - opa@kings.peterborough.sch.uk

OPA Official Merchandise

OPA Tie - £10
OPA Cufflinks - £10 + p&p
History of the School by Denham Larrett - £15.50 + £4.50p&p
Prints of The King's School - £5
Pin Badges - £5
Watercolour Prints - £8

For more information about membership and merchandise, please contact the OPA Administrator.

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