Page 60 - OO_2018

FEATURE
‘We won’t stand still’
Dominic Toriati, Oundle’s new Bursar, outlines his vision for the School
As I begin my
second year at
Oundle, now is a
good time to reflect on my
first 12 months at the
School. It is a huge
privilege to be the Bursar
here and I am increasingly conscious of the true
breadth and scope of the
role and responsibilities
the post brings. I am
humbled by the
commitment and
dedication shown by
everyone who is
connected to the School,
helping to create an
extraordinary place that is appreciated by so many.
As a School that has
almost 500 years of
history, the value of its
traditions and the ethos
and culture that have seen
it thrive over that time are
surely worth holding on to
and seeking out anew. I
am also conscious that
there is ‘nothing new under the sun’ and I have been keen to hear my colleagues’ view of the way things are done and what has - and hasn’t - worked in the past, to inform my view of what may come next.
So, what of the future direction of the School? It has not always been my experience that organisations take the time to chart their way forward, but Oundle has always had a clear view of its future and a singular focus on its aims. The Royal Charter states that the School’s aim is to “provide an education of the highest class”. For me then, everything we do should be focused on that aim. And the School’s strategy, laid out by the Head and Leadership Team, and supported by the Governors, is enabling me to help prioritise and direct the
School’s resources in a clear and unambiguous way. This is important at a time of growing demands and of huge investment in the School, not least the construction of the new Sports Centre which is the centrepiece of a Sports Master Plan that is seeing investment on an unprecedented scale. I want to make sure these projects are a success, deliver the key elements of the strategy and provide a safe and inspiring environment in which pupils and staff can thrive. In many ways, this seems straightforward, but the issues are profoundly complex at the same time.
Oundle is aiming to be a successful, distinctive, co- educational full-boarding and day School in 10 years’ time. In other words, very much as it is today. In
attempting to keep things as they are, I am reminded of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, who says in his novel, The Leopard, that “if we want things to stay as they are, things will have to change”. I am not about to try and change 500 years of history, but I do think we need to look closely at how we do things to make sure we are adapting to changes in society, in the economy and in the political landscape, so that we are still delivering that “highest class of education” in 10, 50 and 100 years’ time. Empathy, resilience and agility will be needed both in our people and in our approach to and use of the School’s resources. And we need to keep investing in the School, not because we are in an ‘arms race’
with other institutions, but because the needs of our pupils are constantly moving on, emphasising the need for change. We will continue to keep pace with best practice and modernise our services and pastoral provision because compliance with legislation is non- discretionary, because we need to continue to be efficient and because it’s the right thing to do. Perhaps most importantly, recruiting, developing and retaining talented people who have the ability across the teaching and support roles that they do to deliver a ‘first-class education’ will remain a key priority. We can’t and won’t stand still. It is the Oundle way to look forward, to adapt and to invest in its future, and I am very excited to be here at another pivotal point in its history.
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THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2017 –2018