Footballing adventure beckons for caring and supportive teacher

May 25, 2021

One of the most popular teachers at Monmouth School for Girls is lacing up his boots for an exciting adventure in the world of football.

Mr Lee Jones, who has inspired many girls to study Geography, play football and even golf over the past 10 years at Monmouth, is heading north to Premier League champions, Manchester City.

Mr Jones, who is known for his positive attitude, caring nature and sense of fun, leaves school this Friday (28th May) to take up the role of House Parent in charge of player welfare and support at Manchester City, the Champions League finalists.

Mr Jones has had a huge impact at the schools in Monmouth, introducing girls’ football in the boarding community and golf, and having worked as a successful Houseparent in boarding, alongside his partner Julie Ann, at both Chapel House and Augusta House. He has also been Head of Year, Sixth Form.

“Julie Ann and I relocated to Monmouth 10 years ago and I have enjoyed teaching Geography and helping to develop it as an exciting subject and as an option for the girls,” he said.

“We have had some wonderful extra-curricular trips from Morocco to New York and Geography has become one of the biggest option choices for the girls, which is particularly rewarding.”

“The exam results in Geography, as a subject, have been excellent, too, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the teaching and learning aspects of the subject which has seen girls progress in their development from Years 7 to 13.”

Mr Jones has enjoyed a successful 30-year teaching career, starting at Colchester Royal Grammar School at the age of 24 before becoming Head of Sixth Form at Thurstable School in Tiptree, Essex, at the age of 28.

He then moved to Herefordshire, taking up the Assistant Head Teacher role and Head of Sixth Form post at John Masefield High School in Ledbury for 10 years, where he built up successful partnerships with neighbouring schools and sports clubs.

Whilst at Monmouth School for Girls, Mr Jones, a big Leeds United supporter, introduced Golf as a Sixth Form option for girls’ sport, encouraged the students to compete in events and developed a strong connection with Ross-on-Wye Golf Club.

As a coach, he introduced girls’ football to the boarding community and was proud to see the girls enjoy grass-roots sport and faring well in tournaments against other schools.

Mr Jones takes up his new role in Manchester and is looking forward to working with the football club’s scholars from his education base at the Etihad Stadium.

“I am very sad to be leaving and I will miss the people, repartee, pupils and the whole wider school community,” he said.

“I enjoyed organising staff social football and cricket matches between our two senior schools because it was a wonderful way to build relationships and friendships between people from different departments and schools which I think is really important.

“The opportunity to work at Manchester City is an exciting one and is a new challenge which will hopefully take me around the world and allow me to indulge my passion for the beautiful game.

“It is also a flexible role, so I will still be living in Monmouth and remain part of this beautiful town.”

Former student, Issie Mosley, said: “My time at Monmouth would not have been the same without Mr Jones.

“He always wanted to discover what we were passionate about, and then would bring it to life, such as setting up a boarders’ football team.

“Some of my favourite memories from boarding were our trips to football games, or evening training sessions.

“Win or lose, Mr Jones always made sure we left with a smile on our faces and had enjoyed ourselves.

“Without someone as caring and proactive as Mr Jones, experiences like the girls’ football just wouldn’t have happened. Even if they had, they wouldn’t have been half as enjoyable. “

Former student, Rhiannon Gibson, said: “Mr Jones always put the girls first at school and everybody loved him for it.

“I was lucky to have him as a boarding parent, Geography teacher, fellow expeditioner and also a football coach. I have so many happy memories.”

And Madi Jones, another former student, said: “Mr Jones had an incredibly positive impact on my time at school, encouraging me in the classroom and on the sports pitch to work hard and achieve my goals.

“The fun Sixth Form boarding environment which was tailored to many different girls’ interests, definitely stemmed from Mr Jones’ involvement and encouragement.

“Mr Jones had a clear and genuine interest in wanting his students to succeed and I am sure I am not the only pupil who will credit many of my achievements during my final school years to his support.”

Headmistress, Mrs Jessica Miles, said: “Mr Jones has carried out all his roles with passion, commitment and sartorial elegance.

“Latterly he has also been throwing himself in to running the boarding camps for our boarders, with his partner, Julie Ann.

“These have proved to be enormously successful and provided our boarders who have been unable to get home with care, fun and many happy memories.

“My thanks and warm wishes to Lee for all that he has contributed to the life of the school. We wish him all the very best for the future.”