'A rare and remarkable achievement' - Teacher starts 31st year at secondary school

A teacher who has spent three decades in the classroom at Sir William Borlase's Grammar School has begun his 31st year at the Marlow school. As hundreds of pupils returned for the start of the new academic year, Hugh Robson marked a significant milestone after completing 30 years teaching English at Borlase. Mr Robson, a graduate of Pembroke College, Oxford, where he studied English Language and Literature and served as Organ Scholar, has become one of the school's longest-serving members of staff. Alongside his teaching duties, he has led the school's Advanced Reading Group, played the organ during chapel services and carol concerts, and organised the annual "Mr Robson's Advent Concert", which combines music and poetry. In a statement, the school said: "As some students and staff have been starting their first years at Borlase this week, Mr Robson commences his 31st year teaching at the school. "When Ofsted visited Borlase in 2024, they declared in the private feedback meeting at the end of Day 2, 'there is a scholarliness at this school which is neither common, nor contemporary.' "Without proof but also without doubt, it was Hugh Robson whom they were speaking of." Mr Robson was presented with a commemorative token recognising his 30 years of service to the school's students. The statement added: "Hugh received a token in recognition of his 30 years' service to the students of Sir William Borlase's Grammar School, a rare and remarkable achievement, to rapturous applause at our Staff INSET this week. "Chapeau, Mr Robson!"