I came to England in August 1981 to teach science and mathematics at Eagle House School, Sandhurst, Berkshire. I spent 29 years at the school having taken over the mathematics department in 1988 and became deputy head concentrating on the curriculum. I retired from full time teaching in July 2010.
Why DCBEAGLE?
I became a deputy head at the age of 25 and kept that status for most of my career. I was always called Deputy Beagle by my colleagues and so with the combination of the nickname, my initials (DCB) I created the title of DCBEAGLE.
The Challenges
Prior to a school inspection, heads of departments were advised to organise a marketing event. This is when the Year 6 Mathematics Challenge was created. Because of its initial success the Head gave me permission to perform it six times a year around southern England. Due to pressure from participating schools I then created the Year 5 Mathematics Challenge and the rest is history!
I believe all my challenges are unique and it is an ideal opportunity for many schools to come together and have an equal opportunity to succeed. At most events I average 30 competing schools from both the primary and preparatory school sectors.
I insist that the challenges are free for competing schools and so I thank the host organisations for covering the costs of the events.
CRB clearance
I am still an active inspector for the Independent Schools Inspectorate and I hold a CRB disclosure with this organisation.
Communication
For convenience and cost cutting, all correspondence is through emails and my website (www.dcbeagle.com). When a school registers they will receive an acknowledgement within 24 hours and then competing schools will receive at least two more emails prior to the challenge.
References
If you would like to take up references I can give you contacts of schools who already host my challenges and / or events.
Testimonials
Just wanted to say a big thank you for organising such a brilliant Maths Challenge at the Wellington College last Thursday. The children and myself have thoroughly enjoyed it and I will say that our first experience was a memorable one. I really admired "a smooth" organisation from registration, to explanation, to children's participation and to moving onto the next round. I also appreciated such a varied range of mathematical questions. Jana Heaven (Greenfield School)
I cannot thank you enough for your stunning work on the mathematics challenge. It was an outstanding event. Please keep up the great work – Dr Anthony Seldon, Wellington College
Just back from Oxford. What a great event, it really did go so well. Congratulations! Many thanks again for organising this event for the children. They really do have a great time. Grant Whitaker (Gayhurst School)
Thank you so much once again for a fantastic afternoon - so well organised and such good fun.
Heather Haigh (Cholsey Primary)
Thank you for yesterday's wonderful event. The children really enjoyed it and as usual it was extremely well organized.
Claire Bishop (Rye St Antony Primary School)
Many, many thanks for organising yesterday's maths competition. My four children enjoyed it enormously. it was certainly a fast and furious afternoon, and exceptionally well-humoured. I have never worked so hard in the Big Event - not a moment to catch breath! Great fun. Many thanks once again, and good luck with the other challenges this year.
Pauline Roberts (Cumnor Primary)
