Tycoon opens new chapter of learning at school
The business interests of Sir John, who was knighted in the 2009 new year honours list and is chancellor of the University of Reading, range from football to property and publishing to restaurants. He was at The Clere School and Technology College, Earlstone Common, to open a state-of-the-art £10,000 school library.
The headteacher, Felicity Martin, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sir John to our school and are very privileged to have had him here today.”
Before opening the library, Sir John, who founded a magazine which became Auto Trader, and whose wealth is estimated at £250m, gave a talk about his life and work, from his Stoke-on-Trent birthplace to his achievements in the education sector and the arts, to a group of senior citizens who meet regularly at the school.
Among the audience was Mike Faiers of Burgclere, who said: “Sir John gave an inspiring talk about his life, from very humble, disadvantaged beginnings to his present position as a deputy lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire. I thought we were in for a talk about football but was amazed at all the things he has achieved in his life.”
Another villager, Pat Farley, said: “It was very inspirational.”
Margaret Laurley and her husband Peter, also from Burghclere, said: “We were amazed that this unassuming man had contributed so much to education and the arts.”
Sir John also spoke to a group of Year 7 pupils, who later said that they found him inspirational and genuinely helpful.
One pupil, Toby Lewis, said: “The way he talked was really exciting. We understood his message about finding what you’re good at, and sticking at it,” said Toby Lewis.
The new library aims to make greater use of technology through eResources, and the new facilities include 12 new tablets designed to be used for curriculum-based reading, along with e-books, both funded by the school’s PTA. The school’s curriculum leader of English, Katy Street, said that she envisaged the new library as the learning hub of the school.
“A library is not just a quiet place to read, but should be a space that enables and encourages inquisitive minds,” she said.