When students and staff return after the Easter break, they will be welcoming Peter Knight as the new principal of Marling School.
Mr Knight, currently Regional Director at Oasis Trust, brings extensive experience in education both nationally and internationally. In his own words, he “can’t wait to join the Marling community,” with a primary focus on getting to know the students.
A group of Y12 student leaders asked him ten questions to get him started.
Ten Questions with Peter Knight
1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I live in Gloucestershire, I’m married, and I have three adult children. I’ve worked in schools across the country and around the world. I’ve scored tries in each of the corners at Franklin Gardens, Northampton RFC’s home ground, and I’m currently trying to train a 1-year-old Cocker Spaniel.
2. What attracted you to being Principal of Marling?
Schools are about children and community, and they’re about the history and narratives they write. Marling has an amazing history, and I want to help lead and write the future narrative of the school.
3. What are you most looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to being part of a team—the staff and students who work and study at the school, and the parents and carers who entrust their children’s education to us.
4. What will you bring to Marling School?
I will bring a principal who will laugh and cry with the school, but ultimately be proud and privileged to lead it.
5. What will be your priority on day one?
My priority will be to be seen and to start getting to know the students who study here and the staff who help them achieve their goals.
6. What do you want Marling to be like in five years?
I see my role as a custodian of the school. I want to leave it in a better position than I find it—academically, reputationally, and in the eyes of the community where it’s located.
7. Did you enjoy your time in school?
I moved around a lot during my school years, both across the country and overseas. My fondest memories were in Sixth Form, where I had the chance to develop academically and personally.
8. What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
I’d tell myself to carefully weigh all the options when I received my O Level (GCSE) results and to make an informed decision.
9. What has changed for the better in education since you were in school?
The National Curriculum has made a huge difference. When I was in Years 7–11, lessons often depended on the passions of individual teachers, which didn’t always prepare you for exams. Now, every student has the opportunity to learn the same essential things.
10. If you could make one change to improve education for today’s students, what would it be?
I would give students the chance to learn and gain accredited skills that they could use later in life if they needed or wanted to.
