Mr Paul Griffin

Life before Stowe

I completed my PGCE in 2010, teaching at two excellent state schools and was then offered a job at an independent boarding school on the south coast. I was there for four very enjoyable years and joined Stowe in 2015.

What do you enjoy most about your subject?

History offers the diversity and depth to keep you interested for a lifetime. Studying the past also tells us a great deal about ourselves since in history you see the very best and worst in humanity. I find the experience of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary events particularly fascinating and try to get this across to pupils.

What do you enjoy most about Stowe?

Stowe is an incredible environment of opportunity and possibility for both staff and Stoics. As a teacher this is an incredibly exciting community to be a part of.

What is your favourite lesson?

I enjoy most lessons and particularly those on the Middle East with Fifth Form. However, the interaction with pupils defines my very favourite lessons. Even the duller aspects of the curriculum can be brilliant when you see a pupil start to 'get it'.

What do others say about you?

I try not to think about that too much so you would have to ask them! I hope that pupils know that I am interested in what they have to say, do my best to make their learning interesting and care about them doing well.

Other hats

I lead digital learning within the School, run the Senior History Society, co-ordinate the McElwee Award and assist in the running of football, rugby and cricket.

Passions

My faith and church, my family, catching up with close friends, technology in education, history (of course!), podcasts, running, walking my Labrador (Jazz), hiking in places like the Lake District, Crystal Palace Football Club, good coffee and travelling to new places