Mr J Rees

Department: Head of Geography; Science

Mr Rees, as his name may suggest, is a Welshman by birth, hailing from Abertawe. He moved to the Wirral at the tender age of 3, and was educated at Great Meols Primary School and Pensby Secondary School for Boys.

At Pensby he was awarded the Unilever Prize for Academic Achievement in 1989, and moved to the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, from where he graduated with honours in Geography, followed by a Master’s degree in Palynology.

His first post was at Box Hill’s Juniper Hall Field Centre, near Dorking, where he tutored Biology and Environmental Studies as well as Geography, and also trained in Mountain First Aid. Mr Rees is also a Meteorological Office-trained Climatological Observer.

His PGCE from Christ Church College, Canterbury led to appointment in 1997 at Westcliff High School, in Essex where he added cross-country running events and ski-trips to his repertoire as well as teaching Geography and General Studies to Advanced Level.

Mr Rees trekked to Everest Base Camp in aid of Claire House in 2004, and climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania a year later.

He enjoys Formula 1 and Moto Grand Prix as well as spending time with friends and family. Mr Rees is a fan of Dylan Thomas and the late John Peel, and he also plays guitar, mandolin, bass and violin. He has been a member of seven different bands since leaving school.

Amongst many other things, Mr Rees enjoys the wit, humanity and sense of purpose he finds in the Kingsmead community.