Mr Terry joins HCS from Monmouth Girls’ School where he was Head of Geography, and may be known to some of you from the days when he was a member of Hereford Cathedral School’s Geography Department.

Mr Terry will be running a new non-examined General Studies programme which aims to support the academic studies of students, assist their career choices, broaden their experience of life skills and stimulate an interest in a wide range of subjects that students are not normally able to study in a Sixth Form. For example, students wishing to study medicine will be able to opt for a course that prepares them for Medical School and includes presentations from practising doctors. Similarly, students wishing to study Law can broaden their interest and knowledge by opting for a Law course led by professionals in the legal field.  Other courses will include Study Skills, Critical Thinking, Car Maintenance, Survival Cookery (for university years), Personal Accountancy, Psychology, First Aid, Armed Forces Leadership, Creative Writing and, amongst many more, a unit to prepare students for their driving test theory paper.

He was interviewed shortly after his appointment by the Web team editors Ginny Williams and Laura Healey from the 5th Year:-

James Terry came across as a warm and genuine likeable teacher, lively and humorous with hints of flights of fancy, was he really a centerfold pinup for the Monmouth school magazine? What was forever apparent throughout his interview was his total commitment to ensuring the success of the Sixth Form at Hereford Cathedral School. When asked why he had applied for this position, and indeed returning to a school in which he had previously taught in, his reply was that he liked a challenge, enjoyed responsibility and believed strongly that the atmosphere and ethos of HCS was second to none. He quipped that in a position such as the Head of Sixth Form if he got it wrong it would be a very public humiliation.

When questioned what his priorities would be at the start of next year his instant reply was that he needed to be available and wanted to improve the quality of the Sixth Form recreational and study areas. He told us that he had already discussed with the Bursar how he could be 'accommodated' in the Lower Sixth Form Studies. He believed that the transition from GCSE pupil to Sixth Form Student was much harder today as examination pressures of the AS system were immediate. He believes that Lower Sixth Formers require guidance on how best to use their study time, cope with long term work deadlines and grow independently. When pressed about what he would change he was full of ideas, such as developing the Sixth Form Council, introducing an Intranet for Sixth Formers, cafeteria style recreational space, arts and society lectures and of course the recently introduced innovative General Studies programme. 

Independence was a theme of the interview as he believed that the the ultimate aim of education in a school such as HCS was that the Sixth Form experience should thoroughly prepare people for their future and create well rounded adults that were prepared to take risks, enjoyed challenge and grew with responsibility.

Which in a way was actually how he came across to us.