David Thomson Head of Computing and Head of DofE

I have been at Merchiston since 2015, having moved back home to Scotland from a 7 year period teaching in Doncaster, England. This is my first experience of Private School Education (let alone boarding and boys only!) and I am thoroughly enjoying being able to teach in an environment which is clearly aimed at helping each pupil achieve their personal best. I have been the Head of Computing since 2017, and I am constantly reminded of how important an understanding of our subject is becoming in the modern world.

One thing I particularly like about Merchiston is that our class sizes are small enough that each pupil is well known to the teachers, and that individuals are encouraged to explore their own particular interests. Merchiston supports a huge variety of experiences, whether on the sporting field, in the outdoors, or intellectual pursuits such as coding or debating. I am proud to be part of a school which offers such a diverse and well-rounded education.

INTERESTS 

Music – I have played in a Ceilidh band for many years, and have been known to put in an appearance in the Merchiston staff band for our end of term functions.

Outdoor pursuits – I am heavily involved in the DofE programme at Merchiston and enjoy training the boys for expeditions, and supervising / assessing them when they are ‘in the field’.

Technology – I am always learning new skills to stay current in the field of programming and software engineering. It is important to keep this up in a subject which is always changing!

GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT

All pupils achieving a Grade 7 (A grade equivalent) or above in the first run of the new GCSE Computing Science course

FUNNIEST MEMORY

Richard Charman doing his star turn with a tambourine at the VI Form Christmas party

INSPIRING MOMENT

Meeting pupils who I know will grow to be better programmers than I ever could be. Truly humbling.