MEMBERS of Ledbury Rotary Club were entertained by Ian Beer when he gave a fascinating insight into his time as an Educationalist and Headmaster.

Ian explained that it was Kurt Hahn who had influenced his decision to enter the teaching profession.

Kurt Hahn was a German Jew who spoke out against Hitler and fled to Britain in 1939 and was a key figure in the development of experiential education.

Hahn was the founder of the Atlantic College, the first United World College, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the Outward Bound schools and schemes and Gordonstoun where the Prince of Wales was a student.

Ian, having played rugby for Cambridge University and internationally for England, has remained passionate about the game and was chairman of the RFU Injured Players Foundation.

Inspired by Hahn’s revolutionary and innovative ideas, Ian was only 29 when he attained the post of headmaster at Ellesmere College, then progressing to Lancing College.

A few years later he became the headmaster of Harrow and was on the Government working party to ensure that Physical Education was placed on the national curriculum.

Being a Head for 30 years, Ian experienced the variations in categories of parents; from the bullies, to the users, the tragic to those who over-worried yet in the main most supportive.

Ian made it his mission to ensure that those in his care were not measured by academic excellence alone.

Rotary Club members asked many questions at the conclusion of Ian’s talk.

JAN LONG