There’s little not to love about St Gabriel’s School in Newbury – a co-ed all-through day school and nursery with an impressively close-knit, family feel and focus on pastoral care, the outdoors, and individual learning. The man at the helm of this impressive ship? Ricki Smith, who has eight fantastic years under his belt as the Principal of the school. We caught up with Ricki to get the lowdown on his funniest teaching stories, highs and lows of uni life, and what he’d do with £1m.

30-second elevator pitch for your school – sell it!

Summing up St Gabriel’s in 30 seconds is a challenge, but if I had to, I’d say this: St Gabriel’s is a vibrant community where children from 6 months to 18 years thrive — academically, creatively, and personally. We go beyond just grades, focusing on creating intellectual curiosity, resilience, and confidence in every child. With exceptional pastoral care and a close-knit environment, every student is seen, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Now, you might challenge me at this point and say, yes, but what makes St Gabriel’s different from other independent schools? Well, St Gabriel’s is a school where we achieve outstanding results without unnecessary pressure. Where the happiness of our pupils is as important as their academic achievement. In my experience, if our pupils are happy, they feel secure, supported and able to achieve more than they ever thought they might be capable of. That confidence goes with them as they leave St Gabriel’s to pursue their ambitions.

Who would you like to star as you in the movie?

Well, I’d have to say… me! I think every English teacher has a bit of the thespian hidden inside — it sort of comes with the territory. We spend so much time with the greats on the page that even the quietest among us sometimes wonders, ‘Could I pull that off myself?’ I’m not saying I’d win any awards, but I suppose I know my quirks better than anyone!

You’ve been given a £1m donation for the school, what will you spend it on?

While we are incredibly fortunate as a school to have some fantastic learning facilities and beautiful outdoor spaces, there’s always room to enhance the pupil experience. Sadly, £1m doesn’t stretch quite as far as it once did, but I’d love to develop further the work that we have done with sustainability in the curriculum and create even more opportunities for pupils to understand the world around them first hand. Maybe a bespoke Sustainability Hub? This could then be shared with the local community.

Describe your own childhood school days

I boarded at schools from the age of 7 – 18, and I loved boarding. It gave me the chance to get in to everything that was going on – sport, drama, music – a bit of work! I made some really good friends, who are still close friends today, and have incredibly happy memories from both my boarding experiences. I particularly enjoyed cricket and English, and liked debating and playing my trumpet – better at the first than the second!

What was the common theme of your school reports?

There were many comments saying that I had quite a lot to say… some of it would have been curiosity, some might have been opinion, but that was certainly a theme!

Favourite teachers at your childhood school and why?

They were all really inspiring in so many ways; becoming a teacher myself has made me realise and understand just how skilled they were. Mr Chapman – English – just so inspiring and knowledgeable. He believed in me.

Best and worst subject at school?

English best (I just loved it!) Chemistry worst. I didn’t really get balancing equations.

Where did you go to uni, what did you study – and your High and low of student life?

Aberdeen University to study Joint Honours English and History. It was a lot of reading, but I loved it in every way. Lots of sport, drama, essay writing. Then I went to Cambridge for my PGCE which was a wonderful experience – with more cricket. Finally, my MEd at Buckingham University, something that was really interesting with such a talented cohort of fellow students. High of student life: cricket (and meeting my wife at Cambridge). Low – three years in a flat in Aberdeen with no central heating.

If you weren’t a head, what would you be?

Unfulfilled… or a Cricket Correspondent.

Describe what’s on your work desk (and what’s in the top drawer)

An apple and banana, cricket ball, glasses, a mini-Yoda, and a Papa Smurf (long stories), plus photos of my family. The top drawer has a variety of postcards to send as thank yous, an assortment of pens and stationery, a book of poetry, and a spare tie.

Funniest story from your teaching career

There are so many! In my first week at St Gabriel’s, I looked out of the French windows in my office one lunch time to see three Year 2 children playing with a bird bath – using it like a witch’s cauldron. Ever one for promoting Shakespeare, I went out to introduce myself, and to ask what they were doing. Explanation given, they seemed far more interested in the open door to my office and asked if they could have a look in. In they went, dutifully taking their shoes off as they came through the door. Their eyes focussed on my sofa, and the question came: ‘Is that your sofa, Mr Smith?’

‘Yes.’ I replied.

‘Please can we have a bounce on your sofa?’

To which I gave a nod.

After a couple of minutes of bouncing, they had to go, and I thought little of it. However, the next day at lunch time, while doing some emails, there was a knock at the French door. I opened it to be asked by the whole of their Year 2 form if they too could have a bounce on my sofa. If you don’t ask…

Your favourite books – childhood, uni and now

Childhood – Over Sea, Under Stone – by Susan Cooper. It’s a slightly updated Famous five with a darker edge. I have read it several times since my initial reading aged 7 and still love it. University – Jude the Obscure – Thomas Hardy. I love Hardy’s writing and just found this novel so powerful in the way that it looks at 19^th Century society and the way that ambition was thwarted. Now – For One More Day – Mitch Albom. I know this is from much earlier this century, but I keep returning to it; as a piece of writing, it helps you evaluate your life and relationships – to see what really is important.

What’s the best school trip (childhood or current) you’ve ever been on?

As a child it was my first ever trip. It was to the Natural History Museum; I was 7, and it was just amazing. The coach trip was almost as exciting as the museum. As a member of staff, I really enjoyed taking my hockey team to Germany and then Holland on tour.

What play, book and film should be on every child’s cultural bucket list?

Romeo and Juliet – just a masterpiece of writing, To Kill a Mockingbird – such a strong narrative and beautifully written. Then Inside Out. It would be easy to pick a classic from my childhood but this film is so good at making children see emotions and help them to understand themselves and their feelings.

If you want to hide from the kids and staff for half an hour, where do you go? 

A purposeful walk that gives the impression I am going somewhere!

The song you sing at full volume when everyone’s gone home?

Losing my Religion – REM (Interrailing anthem of early 90s and my karaoke go to).

Advice you’d give your younger self – and your current students?

Practice makes perfect. You have more time than you think.

Read the Muddy review of St Gabriel’s School in Newbury here: Nursery/Junior & Senior.