Teacher Simon Davies celebrates 30 years of bringing history to life at Attleborough Academy

Simon Davies celebrates 30 years at Attleborough Academy. From left, head boy Ben Castle, Simon Davies, principal Neil McShane, and head girl Chloe Williams. Picture: ATTLEBOROUGH ACADEMY (Image: Archant)

Whether his subject was trench warfare, a Roman legionary's life or something else, Mr Davies has been bringing history to life in a way few other teachers manage to at Attleborough Academy for 30 years.

The milestone was celebrated this week with an elaborate cake and a gathering where staff and a few pupils congratulated Mr Davies on his remarkable career.

Mr Davies said: 'I have never before experienced such a sense of community, where the staff, students and parents work so well together to make the academy a really special place.

'It is a privilege to have worked with so many outstanding young people through the years and to see them go on to achieve their potential in the outside world.

'You couldn't find a better place to work. Here's to the next 30 years.'

Mr Davies was born in Crawley, Sussex, the son of two teachers.

He studied in Brighton and at the University of East Anglia before starting at what was then Attleborough High School in 1987.

Mr Davies is also the assistant principal and oversees the school's pastoral life.

On a public Facebook post, some former students paid tribute to Mr Davies and shared fond memories of their days in his history class.

One of them, Sarah Morris, said: 'Fantastic teacher - one who I remember well and I tell my children how he made lessons come alive.'

Another, Stuart Vincent, wrote: 'I remember doing the Battle Of The Somme with him - quite literally. Tables on their sides and little balls of paper thrown at each other across the mobile. A demonstration I've since used myself when doing WW1 with my Cub Scouts.

'Congratulations Mr Davies, you're a top man.'

Emma Russell said of Mr Davies: 'He's the teacher that did Pass the Pigs isn't he? I also remember him getting us to carry tables around like Roman soldiers!'

And Alison Seymour wrote: 'He taught me and now taught two of my children. My little one is six, can he make it a hat-trick?'

Neil McShane, the school's principal, also paid tribute to Mr Davies.

Mr McShane said: 'In the 30 years he has taught here and been involved in the wider pastoral care he has positively changed the life of so many young people, and also had a huge impact on our community.

'Everyone here admires and values him highly. Not only is he a truly inspirational teacher of history, but he is also an intelligent, extremely positive and highly respected colleague and member of our leadership team.'