This week in our ‘Bridging the gap’ series we speak to alumna of Canford, Jess Rees who went back to Twyford School.

What’s your average day?
The morning starts with a 20 minute chapel service, where we get to sing all the best hymns! Then helping with lessons in the morning and sport in the afternoon.

Is it weird to see your teachers as peers?
Yes very! It doesn’t feel like that long ago I was learning about the wives of Henry VIII and now I sit in the staff room and drink tea with my history teacher!

Any improvements since you left?
Pre-Prep has changed a lot with a new building and a completely different playground. But to me everything seems quite similar (although a lot smaller!) and there are lots of familiar faces around school.

Any quirky traditions still going?
Yes, court cricket still gets played and all the silly rules still exist. I think this is a Twyford only game as I haven’t met anyone else who knows about it.

What type of child were you?
I loved prep school so was always very happy! My favourite bits were boarding and sport.

Do you think the pupils have it easier now?
Not really, I think I had it pretty easy when I was here too. There are so many opportunities for the children and a lot of very hard working teachers who try to make time here as enjoyable and easy as possible.

Favourite school lunch?
Pizza Tuesdays were the best! And ‘bricks and cement’ is still my favourite pudding!!

What is the ‘in’ thing?
For us it was all about loom bands, yo-yos and Jack Wills! Now it’s TikTok dances and the clothes are all baggy or ‘vintage’.

What will you take away?
Working in a school has made me realise I love being busy and enjoy working with lots of people. Teaching will be something I really consider after finishing Uni.

What advice would you give to your younger self going off to senior school?
To get stuck in as much as possible and really make the most of your time at school, because it goes very quickly!

Where are you off to next?
Exeter to study Sports Science.

What will be your lasting memory?
I always remembered Twyford as such a happy, fun place and coming back has just reinforced those feelings.

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This article features in the Summer issue of ‘Noticed’ magazine