Writing the Next Chapter

On December 15^th, 2009, the vehicle that Will Dixon was travelling in was hit by an improvised explosive device.

 

He was serving as a Platoon Commander for Third Battalion, The Rifles, during a tour of Afghanistan.

 

The blast resulted in the amputation of his lower left leg, whilst his right foot was badly broken. It ended his Army career and he was medically discharged 18 months later.

 

As he embarks upon life as LWC’s new Chief Operating Officer, Mr Dixon is keen ‘not to make a fuss’ about this time of his life. In fact, were it up to him, it probably wouldn’t even warrant a mention. “The friends that I’ve since made in the amputee community describe my injury as a flesh wound,” he smiles. “There is absolutely no room for sympathy. It’s about what you can do and not what you can’t.”

 

But to understand what Will is bringing to the next chapter of the LWC story, you need to understand a little about the narrative that has gone before it. Catching this glimpse into his mentality, makes it clear why he was chosen to succeed fellow former military man, Baz Bennett.

 

“The injury was one of the best things that ever happened to me,” he states. “A couple of years after it happened, I was part of a crew that rowed across the Atlantic for military charities. I went on to have a 12-year-career at Barclays, which I loved and learned a huge amount from. I met my wife and had my family, which I wouldn’t have otherwise done. I have no regrets. I’m happy to say that no-one else was injured in the blast and the life I’ve led since it happened has contained opportunities that would never otherwise have come my way.”

 

“LWC is in a brilliant position. It’s thriving and I say that from someone who has been on the outside, looking in. The reputation of Lord Wandsworth College has grown with the school. Pupil growth and great feedback come from doing things well.”

— Will Dixon, Chief Operating Officer

   

If it wasn’t already obvious, Will Dixon is not only resilient, but a natural optimist – which stands him in good stead to lead LWC into its next phase.

 

“We spend a lot of time talking about resilience and overcoming adversity at the moment,” he explains. “Life is getting harder, not easier for teenagers. The passion I see in teachers is exactly the same passion that I saw in officers and NCO’s in the Army, who develop and see those in their care blossom and flourish.”

 

This isn’t Will’s first rodeo in education. He has spent more than three years as bursar at Shiplake College, following a series of senior banking positions.

 

“The common thread in my life has always been leading people,” he continues. “I really enjoy leading teams and creating a positive culture. It’s about empowering people to go on and do brilliant things. The leap into education after banking came because I wanted to be in a more purpose-driven environment where I would get daily, visual reminders of why we do this. The ability to see the impact of decisions that are made all around you is pretty unique.”

 

The decision to switch South Oxfordshire for North East Hampshire was also a straightforward one in Will’s mind.

 

“You’re immediately struck by the space and the setting when you arrive here,” he enthuses. “Then you get a very immediate impression of a friendly, happy, confident school and that came through from my first interactions with those on Reception, to the pupils who were grilling me during my interview. That’s never happened to me before and sets LWC apart. It has a clear identity and it knows what it does well.”

 

The fact that LWC is ‘doing well’ is something that isn’t lost on Will and he’s keen to point out that his hiring is the opposite of a ‘turnaround job’.

 

“LWC is in a brilliant position. It’s thriving and I say that from someone who has been on the outside, looking in. The reputation of Lord Wandsworth College has grown with the school. Pupil growth and great feedback come from doing things well. I want to keep the growth, the excitement and the buzz about the place.”

 

The growth of LWC is a key component when it comes to looking to the future. Plans to increase the number of Boarding Houses by three and create a state-of-the-art centre homing the DT, Art, Computer Science Departments and a 300-seat lecture theatre, are at the heart of the College’s Strategy 2030. A new fitness and wellbeing centre should be ready next year, with an aim to boost LWC’s cricket and golf facilities beyond that.

 

“There is brilliant ambition in this school to grow and continue to invest in the site and not to spend money for spending’s sake.” Will remarks. “The idea is to create new opportunities to deliver outstanding education. There are very few schools with the opportunity that Lord Wandsworth has (with its 1200 acres) to really think creatively and purposefully about what we can offer. I’m excited to get going.”

 

For Will, the new job will also mean a relocation for the family; his wife, Mia, children Bea (5), Ollie (3) and their black labrador, Isla.

 

“My wife is excited that I won’t have a 50-minute commute to work anymore,” he smiles. “But we’re really looking forward to being part of the school community. The kids are excited about having an orchard in their garden and starting at St Neot’s. I’m excited about having 1200 acres in which to walk the dog.”

 

We look forward to the next chapter of the story.