Coffee Break Interview

Nathalie meets Dave Bent

DAVID BENT has been in teaching for 38 years and at the end of this school term he has decided its time to retire. Originally from Leicester where he was a teacher then deputy head for 13 years, Dave started looking for a headship. He found what he was looking for in Hertfordshire and spent 6 years as Head of a school in Bedmond. He was asked to provide cover for one term at Orchard Primary School, Watford and ended up staying 19 years! Dave has been married to Sue for 37 years and has a son of 32 and a daughter of 30, and is proud granddad to Lucas, 6 months. Here we get to know him a little better.

What is the last book you read/concert/theatre play?

“That was The Chase by Clive Cussler, I love escapism, adventure and underwater books. I don’t get to read much for pleasure during term time, I generally read when on holiday. Not many people know that I love musical theatre, all the London shows – Phantom, Joseph – also Tina Turner, we always tried to catch her shows, but she is not touring anymore.”

Most memorable meal?

“The Nobu at the Metropolitan Hotel is the most memorable and in fact the most expensive! My son is an accountant and worked for the hotel as a financial controller and he arranged it for us”

Earliest memory?

“First day at infant’s school, it was a brand new school and I remember looking through the window watching my Mum walking away, I felt very sad, but ultimately I enjoyed school.”

Your most memorable holiday and the best view?

“We took the train from Vancouver to Banff across the Rockies which has been our most scenic holiday. The most amazing view has to be arriving at the very summit of a mountain in Whistler, Canada, We got there on horseback and I don’t ride! But it was worth it. I remember thinking this must be what heaven is like…surrounded by snow capped mountains with the sun shining. It was so peaceful….it was stunning!

Second would be looking out of the hotel’s picture window at the glacier in Lake Louise.”

How do you arrange your day – would you say you are organised?

“I can’t bare mess, so I am very organised. My office is the storage for some new PCs for the school and those boxes are going to drive me mad until they are taken away. I always make a list of the things I have to do and try to finish them, come what may. I like to think this follows through with how the school presents itself, as efficient and well run.”

What are your extravagances?

“My wife would say that I buy far too many clothes ‘for a man’! but I don’t agree. My favourite extravagances are technology, I love my PC!”

The most romantic thing you have done or been done for you?

“Sue would tell you I am not very romantic which is probably true. For my 50^th birthday she got me a trip on the Orient Express for a day around Kent. We had a beautiful meal with champagne flowing, visited Thomas Hardy’s house, and then finished with traditional tea like at the Ritz. Perfect if you love trains.”

When I have time to myself I like to……

“Surf the net would you believe! I love gardening too, and golf at my local course. I always say that my handicap is the clubs and the balls, but seriously, I play off a 28 handicap and would like to improve that now that I shall have more time.”

The best thing my parents taught me….

“To think of others. My mother was always looking after other people and I am very like my mother in that way.”

If I could pass any law….

“Oh it would HAVE to be ‘reduce pointless beurocracy’. Obviously there is a need for some but the quantity we have now is partly what is driving me away …..bring back common sense that’s what I say!”

When I was a child I wanted to be…..

“One of three things either a Banker a Doctor or a Teacher, but teaching always had the strongest attraction”

If your life was a song, what would it be?

“My anthem for like would have to be Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’, because I am always trying to be the best I can be”

Who do you admire?

“When first elected I quite admired Tony Blair as he was a refreshing change and did a lot for this country. But he went on too long and lost his way. That’s always the danger if you stay anywhere too long; you become arrogant and stop listening to people. I am always acutely aware of that with myself and the school, so its time to retire before that happens….maybe the teachers think it already has happened, I don’t know!”

What do you think have been your greatest achievements?

“All the work I have done to transform the school. I am very, very proud and just hope it continues to be as good as I personally think it is.”

Proudest moment?

“That’s easy….the moment I held my first grandchild, Lucas. I was tearful and it took me back to when my two were born. I was present at both their births and in fact my daughter was arriving so quickly I almost had to help deliver her!”

Have you got a book in you!? What would your autobiography be called?

“Its not something I have thought of doing but my goodness I could compile a very amusing book using all the parents’ letters I have received over the years. That would be very interesting!”

What would people be surprised to know about you?

“Don’t tell anyone but I have a model railway…in fact, now I have a grandson I have the perfect excuse to share my passion.”

I always laugh at…….

“I love programs with puppets such as The Muppets and Spitting Image. I also enjoy the Vicar of Dibley and Absolutely Fabulous.”

Sum up your life philosophy in one sentence….

“Keep calm, never panic or worry and certainly don’t lose sleep over anything.”

What about the future.

“Even though we have a flat in Spain we shall not be moving there. We would like to explore our countryside more. Having more time to read, play golf and get out in the garden would be great. Of course, most importantly, more travelling. I shall be visiting the Norfolk Broads with my twin brother next. Then in November we shall travel to Acapulco and take a boat down the Panama Canal to the Caribbean, and in March we have a Far East Cruise booked. So we are pretty busy.

Last word – Thank you….it is not said enough and could make such a difference to the world.

Come and share your memories of Orchard School, Gammons Lane, Watford at their ‘50^th Birthday’ Summer Fayre on 21^st June between 11am and 2pm. Includes Bouncy Castle, Cake Stalls, Dance Demonstrations, Tombola and Spectacular Raffle.

This article was created on Tuesday, 10th June 2008. It was last tinkered with on Friday, 13th June 2008.

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