This week in our ‘Bridging the gap’ series we speak to alumni of Marlborough College and Bradfield College, Arthur Davies & Tom Houston who went back to Elstree School.

What was your average day?
It starts by making toast at breakfast for the children. During the day, we support in different lessons and in the afternoon, we help with sport. After supper, we get involved with the boarders’ activities – the highlight is the waterslide!

Was it weird to see your teachers as peers?
At the beginning it was definitely weird, but everyone has been friendly and welcoming.

Any improvements since you left?
The biggest change is the move to co-education, which we think is fantastic.

Any quirky traditions still going?
Bat room cricket is still a firm favourite – played by huge numbers of children during free time.

What type of child were you?
I was quite cheeky at Elstree! However, Tom was Deputy Head Boy at Elstree and Head Boy at Bradfield! He was good at most things he tried his hand at.

Favourite school lunch?
That’s easy – the burritos at Elstree are the best!

Have you been given a nickname?
No thankfully, although one of the children calls Tom the ‘little gapper’ (6”2) and me the ‘tiny gapper’ (6”1).

What did you take away from this experience?
We’ve loved our time being back and getting involved with everything. Being a gapper will massively help us in the future, as it has taught us to be versatile.

What advice would you give to your younger self going off to senior school?
To understand that you are not the largest fish in the sea when you leave prep school.

What else have you done in your gap year?
Tom has been writing music and has released three songs. I’ve been lucky enough to be at university whilst also working at Elstree. Although it has been challenging, I get the best of both worlds.

Where are you off to next?
Tom is off to Manchester in September to study biochemistry. I am continuing my degree in international business and management at Reading.

What will be your lasting memory?
We’ve loved coming back to spend another chapter of our lives at Elstree. My lasting memory is the fun I had and the lifelong friends I made.

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