Geoffrey Rees
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Rees, CBE, MA FRSA was the Principal of Ivybridge Community College
in Devon
, England
until early 2010. He is a Governor
of both Plymouth University and a former Governor of the University College of St Mark & St John, Plymouth. He was a long serving member of the Devon & Cornwall LSE board. He is also non-executive director of the Mount Batten Water sports centre in Plymouth. He has served on various committees such as the Duke of Edinburgh
West Country board. He has been an advisor to the Institute of Directors. Geoffrey Rees is recognised as a 'Leader of Change' on the international education scheme. Geoff has most recently been involved in advising the government on what form the education legacy wil take on the Olympic site following the 2012 Games.
at Buckingham Palace
London
England
in recognition of his services to education
.
, and taught in schools in Sussex
then Essex
before moving to Devon
in 1979. He held senior posts at schools in Plymouth
and north Devon before taking up his appointment at Ivybridge
in 1987.
reports, which has led to it being granted 'High Performing' status. Under his leadership the school has gained International School Status via the British Council
.
amongst his personal achievements. Before teaching, Mr Rees was an avid rugby union
player in his native Wales
and went on to Captain the Cambridge University team in a successful Varsity
match against Oxford University.
Known throughout the town as 'Mr Ivybridge', his larger-than-life personality and gifts as a publicist
for his school have had a positive impact.
He was renowned for saying hello to every student in the corridor, although it's difficult to remember the names of 2,300 students personally.
NACE Policy for Able Children http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=95490
Ivybridge Community College
Ivybridge Community College is a state funded secondary school in Ivybridge, Devon, England. It is apparently the second-largest secondary school in Devon. Since 2010, Rob Haring has been the principal. It was awarded a sports specialism in 1997, a specialism in Science in 2004 and a third...
in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
until early 2010. He is a Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of both Plymouth University and a former Governor of the University College of St Mark & St John, Plymouth. He was a long serving member of the Devon & Cornwall LSE board. He is also non-executive director of the Mount Batten Water sports centre in Plymouth. He has served on various committees such as the Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award , is a programme of activities that can be undertaken by anyone aged 14 to 24, regardless of personal ability....
West Country board. He has been an advisor to the Institute of Directors. Geoffrey Rees is recognised as a 'Leader of Change' on the international education scheme. Geoff has most recently been involved in advising the government on what form the education legacy wil take on the Olympic site following the 2012 Games.
Recognition
In 2003 he was appointed to the style and dignity of a Commander of the most noble Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in recognition of his services to education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
.
Early career
He started his career in 1969 as an assistant history teacher in London Borough of Richmond upon ThamesLondon Borough of Richmond upon Thames
The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames is a London borough in South West London, UK, which forms part of Outer London. It is unique because it is the only London borough situated both north and south of the River Thames.-Settlement:...
, and taught in schools in Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
then Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
before moving to Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
in 1979. He held senior posts at schools in Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
and north Devon before taking up his appointment at Ivybridge
Ivybridge
Ivybridge is a small town and civil parish in the South Hams, in Devon, England. It lies about east of Plymouth. It is at the southern extremity of Dartmoor, a National Park of England and Wales and lies along the A38 "Devon Expressway" road...
in 1987.
Achievement at ICC
Mr Rees has overseen large-scale developments and improvements in recent years which have culminated in a number of awards being presented to the Ivybridge Community College. In 2005, ICC was awarded 'Science & Maths College' status, this being the college's second such award after being named a 'Sports College' some years before. The college has gone on to achieve specialist status in Languages. It also is a leading edge institution and a training school; all these carry additional funding streams. The college has received 'Outstanding' in its last three OFSTEDOfsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
reports, which has led to it being granted 'High Performing' status. Under his leadership the school has gained International School Status via the British Council
British Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
.
Sporting
Mr Rees has always enjoyed sporting activity, and includes completing the London MarathonLondon Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
amongst his personal achievements. Before teaching, Mr Rees was an avid rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player in his native Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and went on to Captain the Cambridge University team in a successful Varsity
Varsity match
A varsity match is a sporting fixture between two university rivals; in its original and most common form, it is used to describe meetings between Oxford University and Cambridge University.-Popular British and Irish Varsity matches:*University of Oxford v...
match against Oxford University.
Known throughout the town as 'Mr Ivybridge', his larger-than-life personality and gifts as a publicist
Publicist
A publicist is a person whose job is to generate and manage publicity for a public figure, especially a celebrity, a business, or for a work such as a book, film or album...
for his school have had a positive impact.
He was renowned for saying hello to every student in the corridor, although it's difficult to remember the names of 2,300 students personally.
Family
Rees is the middle child of Sidney and Mary Rees. He has an older brother Brian, and a younger sister Mandy.Retirement
He announced, on 5 February 2009, that he will be retiring as Principal of Ivybridge Community College at the end of the 2009, after holding the position for 22 years.External links
Ivybridge Community College http://www.ivybridge.devon.sch.ukNACE Policy for Able Children http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=95490