OB Rupert Rule (’87-’01), teacher of Economics and Business Studies at Birkenhead School since 2010,  has recently been appointed Head of Middle School. Having previously been appointed Head of Year 10 in 2013, Rupert has seen pastoral care as an area of education that he has always been interested in and, despite teaching almost exclusively students of A Level, has felt fortunate enough to be placed as a Form Tutor with Key Stage 4 during his time at the School.

Rupert said, “These are formative years, and a strong pastoral input can make a huge difference in the development of mature and resilient young men and women. I was Head of Year 10 for five years before rotating between Years 9, 10 and 11 thereafter. I have managed to gain considerable pastoral experience during this time and have worked with many excellent and dedicated Form Tutors.

“The role of Head of Middle School, a position which has been revived, has been driven by the growing number of students in the School. In September the first four years of Senior School will average over 80 students per year and Middle School will be the largest ‘section’.

Rupert said, “I am hoping to develop a Leadership Team in Year 11, which will allow students to take a more active role in shaping the School, as well as providing crucial role - modelling for younger members of the school community. The J. P. Hargreaves Diploma will also fall under my supervision now and I look forward to seeing increasing numbers of students completing this in the years ahead.

“I am excited by the challenges that this new role presents, and I am dedicated to developing further the excellent levels of pastoral care, student behaviour and academic performance, on which the School prides itself.”