Our new Heads of School have been appointed for the academic year 2024/2025! Liv Driver and Hamish Phillipson will take on the roles of Heads of School, while Eliza Hutchison and Maya Goswami are our new Deputy Heads of School. We asked them a few questions to get to know them as they start their new roles...

Liv

Tell us about your time at Bede’s so far…

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

Building the relationship and working collaboratively with the new prefect team in order to feel as though we have given something back to Bede’s by this time next year! As somebody who has been here for so long I want to put a focus on pupil voice; enabling, encouraging and aiding pupils in exploring as many of the opportunities which Bede’s has to offer as they can, everywhere from the classroom to the sports field. In doing this, hoping that everyone can find something which they can connect to at Bede’s.

If you could travel to any period of history, where would you go?

I would have to go back to the later period of the Victorian era. What most interests me there is the fashion, where designers began experimenting with new colours! Set and costumes in theatre were becoming a lot more elaborate too; circuses also became more popular in this time so I would definitely go back to the Victorian era to spend a day at one!

Who is on your dream dinner party guest list?

I think that the director Greta Gerwig would definitely be on my list. I find the messaging and production of her movies both inspiring and entertaining; I think that the representation of women in her work is always really well captivated and I would love to hear what she would say to the likes of Rosa Parks or Emmeline Pankhurst. Although, I would also invite Leonardo DiCaprio to talk to him about all of his experiences in the film/tv industry.

You have one book, one film and one album to take with you to a desert island - which do you pick?

First, my album would be the Beatles Album “1 (Remastered)” because my dad would always play it when I was younger. To read I would bring Little Women by Louisa May Alcott because I find it a comforting story while still having themes relevant to today. Finally, for the film I would take La La Land because I don’t think I could ever get bored of it or, I would take the whole Harry Potter series as it is so nostalgic and impossible to choose just one!

Hamish

Tell us about your time at Bede’s so far…

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I am looking forward to making the most of the opportunities and connections this role will provide, and becoming more involved with the pupils and staff in the school.

If you could travel to any period of history, where would you go?

Peak of the Roman Empire. I love ancient myths and stories and seeing the architecture and monuments back when they were still in their original state would be amazing. Also life would be so much more simple back then, and no light pollution. 

Who is on your dream dinner party guest list?

Jesus, Leonardo DaVinci, Vincent Van Gogh, and David Attenborough.

You have one book, one film and one album to take with you to a desert island - which do you pick?

Book: Life on Planet Earth. Maybe then I’ll actually get round to finishing it!
Film: Johnny English: Reborn. Greatest movie of all time - I’m not ashamed.
Album: The First Time - The Kid Laroi. Although the album I’d choose changes every day. 

Eliza

Tell us about your time at Bede’s so far…

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?

I’m looking forward to working with my fellow heads of school to make life better for the pupils of Bede’s. The heads are a powerful, confident and brave group of strong personalities with just so much potential to achieve great things for our school. A new initiative I’m involved in this year is the establishment of the new female group, ‘Her Voice’, which aims to encourage girls to come forward and speak up about issues that they find important.  This is just one initiative that I am looking forward to being involved in as I believe it will help us to leave Bede’s in a better place than we found it. 

If you could travel to any period of history, where would you go?

Definitely the ‘Roaring ‘20s’ - the period between the two World Wars.  This era shone the light on women finally achieving a more significant role in society. From 1914 when men were called up to fight, women found themselves working in traditionally male roles, some earning a wage for the first time. This social revolution paved the way for the start of women’s liberation and soon women were using their voices and demanding the right to vote.  In the 20s, they began to push boundaries in other areas too - they cut their hair shorter and styled themselves in shorter skirts and it became an era of boundary pushing, as well as decadence, parties and dancing (like the famous Charleston dance). So, for me the 20s was the era when women began to speak up.

Who is on your dream dinner party guest list?

Top of the list, my beloved Grandma would be my number one guest. My Grandma always delivered her fascinating life stories with enthusiasm and charisma, often sending the whole table into laughter. Florence Nightingale, the pioneer of public health, would also feature. The creative and unconventional Salvador Dalí has always intrigued me and no doubt would entice us into quirky and surreal discussion and I’m sure Emmeline Pankhurst would add some dynamo to the ideas on our new “Her Voice” movement.

You have one book, one film and one album to take with you to a desert island - which do you pick?

The ‘Complete Works of Shakespeare’ would keep me busy with its range of comedy,  romance, tragedy and history and I’m a big Shakespeare fan. My album would be Amy Winehouse's ‘Back to Black’ as the honesty, bravery and power in the lyrics never fail to instil in me a deep sense of connection with her and this album still captivates me even after countless listens. Finally, the movie would have to be ‘Marley and Me’ because as a labrador owner myself, the film’s blend of humour and emotion is a constant reminder of the importance of loyal companionship and that the simple pleasures in life are always the best. 

Maya

Tell us about your time at Bede’s so far…

I am most looking forward to helping with the Bede’s Foundation, helping to provide opportunities for as many children as possible and working alongside Liv, Hamish and Eliza to help make a difference within the school.

If you could travel to any period of history, where would you go?

I would travel to the 1920’s because I think it's an interesting period of music, culture and fashion.

Who is on your dream dinner party guest list?

I would invite Michelle Obama because I think she is a very inspirational woman, Olivia Rodrigo because I would love to discuss music with her and Emmeline Pankhurst because it would be fascinating to talk to her about the origins of the suffragette movement.

You have one book, one film and one album to take with you to a desert island - which do you pick?

I would take the film 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' as I don’t think I could ever get bored of a Harry Potter film. I would take the book 'Noughts and Crosses' by Malorie Blackman with me as it is a very thought-provoking book. I would take the album 'Guts' by Olivia Rodrigo with me as I love every single one of the songs.