VALETE
Ben Ford B en first joined the Physics department in 2012 as a PGCE student, before returning in February 2014 as a maternity cover and finally permanently in September 2015. He left behind an illustrious career as a Science expert on a children’s television show; given his passion for Physics and education, a career in teaching was an obvious step. With his charming and agreeable demeanour, he quickly established himself as a stalwart of the Physics department and a highly respected classroom practitioner. His work as an external Science Consultant and Examinations Officer has given him an extensive oversight of course content and assessment criteria. This knowledge has benefitted both his students and his colleagues within the department. His commitment to developing his teaching was evident during his recent action research project, which looked at supporting Year 13 students preparing for their A levels. The trips to Baltimore and Australia were just fortunate add-ons. Beyond the classroom, Ben has played a significant role within the department. He has led the popular Physics Society for three years, given talks at the Upper School Symposium, organised a Fame Lab competition for Dulwich Inventive and successfully run Physics competitions UKSDC and AstroPi. He also led a team of DC students through Tim Peake’s project and hosted the training day for London schools. Ben’s dynamism and enthusiastic support for outreach work has been phenomenal. He immediately engaged with Physics Partners, an educational charity with a mission to improve Physics teaching in state schools by supporting newly qualified and non-specialist Physics teachers. He has developed excellent links with the Institute of Physics, hosting aspiring teachers to give them a flavour of what the job is like and holding Stimulating Physics Days, with up to 80 state school teachers at a time participating in Physics workshops. He subsequently extended this programme to include primary school teachers through the Ogden Trust Primary Day. It is not just teachers who have benefitted from his commitment to Physics education. He has led after-school sessions for Jenny Stanley
Year 9 and 10 exceptional scientists from Bonus Pastor School and established STAC links with five local state schools who benefit from the use of Dulwich’s equipment and experience. He has also shared his expertise whilst co-ordinating the Science Saturday School for Year 6 students from local state schools. Outside the department, Ben has been an excellent Master in Charge of Cycling and has recently joined the boarding community as a Visiting Tutor in the Orchard. In the time that he has been here Ben has contributed to the life of the College in a huge variety of ways, and his loss will be a huge blow to the Physics Department. He has been an excellent colleague and friend to many, and his aromatic arrival each morning will be sorely missed by those in the Science Department, not least because someone new will have to assume bottom place in the Science Soccer Heads League. He leaves us following a promotion to the position of Head of Physics at St Dunstan’s College, where he will no doubt continue to inspire, engage and promote good practice. We wish him the very best as he embarks on this new challenge, and thank him for the incredible impact that he has made during his time here.
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