I have always been a relatively independent learner and the great thing about Phoenix College Málaga (to some extent because the British educational system is used) is that the autonomy granted with respect to our studies, rather than being intimidating turns out to be liberating, acting as ideal preparation for university.  I don´t intend it to be understood however that the teachers adopt a laissez-faire approach to their teaching. In Chemistry, to take one example, the teacher was always on hand to help with any queries I may have had and in the case of Chemistry these were many as I found it a difficult subject.

I was also lucky to be part of a fantastic group of students who all worked to get the most out of each other. Perhaps this was the key; the people with whom I shared these last two years at Phoenix.  I was always surrounded by a spirit of support where, if a teacher was not readily available to help with an issue, there was always a friend ready to help out in any way they could.

Ms. Ridyard was key in my development as a student and as a professional. I remember being 15 and really struggling with chemistry and physics, worried that I would not pass my science IGCSE’s. Thanks to her passion for the subject, her relentlessness to help me truly understand, and many hours sitting with me after school, I managed to get an A*. I was proud of myself, but more than that, I was extremely grateful for what she did. She was the support system on our UCAS journey, guiding all students through a complex application system to get into English universities and believing in the best versions of ourselves, pushing us to follow our dreams.

I had Mr Riley for A Level History. He made his class enjoyable and interesting. He had a different type of charisma that nobody else had in school and EVERYONE loved him. I never met anyone who had anything against him. He cared for his students and always managed to bring the best out of each one of us. He was so encouraging and always made us feel like we could do better. I feel sorry for everyone who doesn’t have the chance of learning History with Mr Riley.

Alex Mitchell is a highly respected and committed teacher and professional. He has been Head of Science throughout the school’s history, overseeing a team of 5 teachers and a full time Science Technician. Alex was particularly well regarded by students, parents and staff alike, and he had a superb academic record of achievement with his exam classes at both IGCSE, AS and A level.

Miss Ridyard. Brilliant. Devoted. Inspiring. Magnificent. No matter what words I come up with it feels like they don’t do her justice. I’ve never been good with science, and I was pretty sure it was the one GCSE I was going to fail, until Miss Ridyard appeared brandishing a red pen that promised both carnage and salvation…..  she believed in me even when I was ready to tear my own hair out. Our friendly chats between lessons, her passion and her generosity have stayed with me to this day

Jim Riley is an outstanding teacher. First of all, he has extensive subject knowledge and ensures, through skilful teaching, that students, too, acquire high- level knowledge of the subjects. More important still, from my point of view, Jim has the ability to help students develop deep understanding and broad- ranging skills. Like a great storyteller, he has the ability to draw people into the narrative, to want to know and understand more. He motivates, challenges, and inspires. His history students, for example, come to appreciate that we can only understand the present and prepare for the future if we analyse and comprehend the past. One of the phrases I used to represent our approach in St. George’s schools is ` Learning for the future, learning from the past.’ I cannot think of anyone who has better represented that view in his teaching.

I cannot remember a single year where I didn’t have Mr Mitchell for a teacher. Biology, chemistry, maths, and my all favourite with him, physics. He always tried to make us love science and enjoy learning. As well as all the great moments lived with him, all the trips he took us to.

I had Miss Ridyard and Mr Mitchell during most of my last years, and I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the grades to enter the University of Southampton to study Mechanical Engineering (where I managed to get a first)…. Miss Ridyard was also the person who encouraged me to study in the UK, so I can only be thankful to her…. They didn’t just teach the syllabus, they were committed to help each one of us to make sure we achieved our best level and they made us be interested and passionate about what we were studying.

To me Mr. Riley has been the most inspiring and memorable teacher I have ever had. It was he who influenced me to go on to study History at the University of Sussex and achieve a First Class Degree. He has by far been the biggest influencer in my life and without him I would not have achieved everything I have today. Subsequently I have gone onto study a Masters in International Commercial Law and the University of Exeter and become a trainee solicitor in London. Without Mr. Riley, I could not have gone on to achieve all I have.