Fond Farewell to Richard Houchin
At the end of this term, we are saying ‘goodbye’ to Richard Houchin, the Director of Admissions & Assistant Head (Academic) as he takes on the challenge of a new post in Cheltenham.
Richard joined RGS in 2008 as a Head of Department (Business and Economics) and within one year had taken on responsibility for the timetable with all of its complexities. In September 2013, he was appointed Assistant Head (Academic) as part of a new Senior Management Team, with Ceri Smee as Deputy and three Assistant Heads – Richard, Lee Andrew and James Barker, overseeing each aspect of the School – Academic, Pastoral and Co-curricular respectively.
During his 14½ years at RGS, Richard has become an expert on all things Academic, including the timetable, subject options, analysing Public Examination results and driving up Academic standards. He line manages Heads of Department and runs the Heads of Department meetings. Richard also played an important role in presenting to Staff Governors about Public Examinations results each year, contributing to discussions at the Governors’ Education Committee meetings and completing the task of writing the Minutes. He has been Secretary for the Education Committee for 10 years!
Richard is a very able presenter and regularly talks through subject choices and options with pupils and parents, guiding them to play to their academic strengths and to achieve the best possible outcomes. He has also given many assemblies and talks, including about his experiences as a young teacher and also as an able athlete.
Although focused on the Academic side of the School, Richard has also played a full part in Co-curricular activities as a Sports coach, Athletics coach, Rugby referee and on school trips and activities. He is very visible around the School – on lunch duty or ensuring pupils get to lessons on time. His powerful voice can often be heard across the Quad and he can always be relied upon to ensure good behaviour and discipline. At the same time, he is always willing to ‘join in’ and many pupils will remember Mr Houchin for his pink suit on Pink Ribbon day for Breast Cancer Awareness or him dressed up as a (very tall) fairy in the Senior Leadership Team’s Christmas special during the pandemic!
Richard has, therefore, had a very significant impact on RGS in many areas, but it is perhaps in Admissions that he has found his true calling. His work on providing ‘Personalised Learning’ whereby pupils can choose their options according to interest and love of subjects has been revolutionary and it is no coincidence that his growing involvement in Admissions has seen a corresponding rise in applications and the growth of the School. Richard has also worked hard to support the transition from the Prep Schools into Year Seven and also assisting RGS Dodderhill, especially in supporting the Year Eleven girls learn about subject options for Sixth Form.
Richard and his wife Sally, who teaches English and is Assistant Head of Year Eight at RGS Worcester, and their two sons Max and Alex are a true ‘green’ RGS family. With Max enjoying University and Alex finishing in the Upper Sixth this year, it is perhaps a natural time for Richard to look for a new challenge. He is taking on a significant role in Admissions at Cheltenham Ladies’ College and will no doubt be jet-setting around the world in order to fill their boarding houses. He will do an exceptional job for them and we look forward to staying in touch and sharing Admissions news.
On behalf of the whole RGS community – pupils, parents and staff, I would like to thank Richard for all his hard work, his loyalty and commitment and for his very full contribution to the School. We all wish him the very best for the future.
Mr John Pitt – Headmaster, Executive Head of the RGS Worcester Family of Schools
