Glen Gilchrist

This is the online home of Glen Gilchrist, science teacher, data nut, Excel geek and pulp sci fi reader.

Currently working on a 2 year secondment to the Welsh Government, as the HWB, secondary content advisor.

The blog takes a look at the use / abuse of data in classrooms, whilst as the same time trying to show how to get the best from Excel.  

Let’s share our splendiferousness!

My potted history:  ”When I did my degree (1999), I did a concurrent PGCE – I wanted to be a teacher so badly – (probably something to do with my Physics teacher – Wendy Kidd, hello) – but I was sponsored by AvON Rubber, so took the easy option after graduation and went to work for them as a research scientist.

After a couple of years, the allure of all things technical got me and I left to work with a company making 30 pin simms (when 1Mb of memory was quite sufficient).  I did the technical training and learned how to Spin Sell - something that as a teacher I still come back to.

Having some money behind me, I left to set up my own business selling flash memory for the emerging digital camera market. I did the web stuff and took care of the technical side of things.  But I had a secret.

I wanted to teach in a classroom.

I returned to teaching in 2004, a journey that took me to be Head of Science at Newport High School – a position and school that I thoroughly love.  The position, as it allows me to directly influence the educational direction of a whole institution, plus enjoying the learners in the classroom AND the school for providing an inspirational yet challenging place to work.

Professionally, I want to cut through all the layers of junk that we are obliged to teach these days and to find a way of connecting with our young people that actually makes a long term difference to their lives.

Personally, I want to splendiferous in Excel.

Sounds like a mission statement or a manifesto promise doesn’t it?