Everyone remembers their favourite teacher. Mine was Miss Fox, who taught me History A Level. I couldn’t wait for her lessons. She made the content ‘pop’ for us; she kept us hungry for more; she had a wicked sense of humour, and she championed us all as academic athletes in training. She did that rarest of human things: because she was so ambitious for us as individuals, it instilled in the class an ambition and confidence in ourselves. She was, simply, an awesome role model.
You remember your favourite teacher. Perhaps you’re a pupil reading this and you’re picturing them right now; perhaps, like me, you’re a parent or teacher – the revolving doors of your own learning journey having ostensibly swung shut long ago… (only for us to realise that we none of us ever get off that train – and thank goodness) – but perhaps you, too, now have that favourite teacher clearly in your mind’s eye.
We don’t forget our brilliant teachers because the teacher-pupil connection is one of life’s formative human relationships. It helps give life meaning. Indeed, it is memory-making. Teachers simply are Significant Humans in the lives of their pupils – and absolutely vice versa. Whatever else schools offer – and my goodness me, schools like Bryanston help us grow in myriad directions – what we offer in, and takeaway from, the classroom, is of paramount importance.
I am delighted to be joining Bryanston as Assistant Head, Teaching and Learning, with the sole remit of nurturing and promoting what happens in the classroom, from the perspective of both Teacher and Student. Together, these two demographics form a partnership, working towards a common goal with sights set clearly on students’ confidence and ambition. As a spotlight focus and prism with which to view the Bryanston holistic experience, this is exciting work!
Carrie Marsden, Assistant Head, Teaching and Learning
Carrie joined Bryanston in January 2026 having accrued, to date, varied and invaluable experience within teaching and across age ranges including House Parenting, running an Academic Department, and leading Academic Enrichment pathways such as Oxbridge and Scholarship programmes. Carrie’s commitment to, and passion for, Teaching and Learning combines her twin loves of pedagogy and philosophy. Carrie has an MRes in Systematic Philosophical Theology from Exeter University where she also convened an undergraduate module in the History Faculty. She has written numerous professional development articles for various educational publications; her most recent research has culminated in a teacher-friendly module on the use of AI for Teaching Times.
