Teacher who knew Sir Chris was a class act
ALONGSIDE rows of smartly dressed children, this teacher certainly seems proud of his class.
Nearly 30 years later, one ‘model’ pupil – now among Britain’s greatest sporting heroes – has flattered the tutor by revealing that he helped shape a glittering career.
Sir Chris Hoy told how Willie French ingrained in him the importance of teamwork – while also letting him follow his own path.
The Olympic champion said all he learned from his teacher, during primary school at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh, inspired him to go on to become the most decorated Scottish Olympian.
Mr French, , now head teacher at Royal High Primary School in Edinburgh, has responded to the comments, saying how satisfying it is to know the effect he has had on pupils.
In an interview with Tes Scotland, Sir Chris recalled: ‘When I was 11, I had a teacher called Mr French who comes to mind immediately as one of the best. He was my absolute favourite – my form teacher and an amazing bloke.
‘He had a really fun way of engaging with the kids in his class.
He made you want to learn. When you’re in primary school and you’re all together for most of the subjects and not streamed, there’s a strong sense that you’re part of a team. My entire career has been built on this ethos.’
Sir Chris said that a number of his classmates thought the teacher was ‘brilliant’ because he ‘allowed each child to develop in their own way and follow their own path.’ The cycling star has bumped into his former teacher in recent years and revealed he still calls him Mr French because ‘the respect you have for a teacher never dies’.
The admiration is clearly mutual. Mr French said Sir Chris was ‘a model pupil’ – bright academically, an outstanding sportsman and ‘just a really nice boy’.