Homecoming for Portsmouth school new Head

The man who joined many more ‘new kids’ at the start of this term said he had returned to a part of the world he calls home and was looking forward to finding out more about his new school, pupils and to serving his local community.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Mr Wickes, whose ambition wasn’t always to be a teacher. Although he says he loved his schooldays with history and maths being his favourite subjects.

David grew up in Hedge End, where he still has family. He left the area to go to university, where history was his chosen subject. But the young Mr Wickes didn’t really have a clue what the future would hold for him and says he “fell into” teaching.

“I’m still trying to work out what I want to do!” he joked. But a quarter of a century of teaching and a rise through the ranks mean he is now doing a job he loves at a school he knows and respects.

He said he was impressed with PGS’s commitment to developing its pupils to achieve the goals they want to reach. He also praised the level of care for pupils’ wellbeing, saying: “PGS is a caring school, and we have a pastoral care system that has received national recognition, which underpins the great academic work of the teachers.”

Hobbies and interests

Given his degree subject you’d expect Mr Wickes to be a history buff, but as well as a love for the past he’s a keen sports fan and says he loves to watch “all sport”.

You’ll also find him enjoying a good book in his spare time – possibly fiction or maybe reading up on “critical and smart thinking” an interest he says has helped him look at the world from another angle at times, and challenge his own ways of considering things.

He also loves the theatre and plans on enjoying as much live theatre as possible – particularly at Chichester Festival Theatre. And there’ll be walks on the beach and in the country too, when he’s not involved in school life.

He said: “Being a headteacher provides me with an opportunity to serve my community and to have an influence on how we grow.”

To find out more about The Portsmouth Grammar School and what it could offer your child please visit the website here.