13 Aug 2025
Richard McCann, Head of Prep at the leading independent school, explains how he helps to foster a child’s lifelong love of learning in a warm and nurturing environment…
It’s fair to say that Richard has covered both ends of the education spectrum in his 23 years at St Columba’s College, moving from Head of Sixth Form to take charge of the Prep School.
“I went from teaching 18 year old students to four-year-olds, and whilst it was a change, I knew what was expected by the time they reached the end of their journey with us, and therefore being at the beginning of the journey, I could carefully put the foundations in place, giving our young people so many opportunities to find what they are good at.”
He joined St Columba’s as a newly qualified History teacher shortly after completing his degree at Queen’s University in Belfast, and has never looked back, working his way up to Head of House before taking on the A-levels students.
“I love it. It’s always been like a second home really.”
Richard is acutely aware of the privilege and responsibility of taking children right at the beginning of their educational journey and preparing them for what’s to come, and uses his wealth of experience to ensure they are in the best place for their future education when they finally leave his care.
“Let’s face it, the world is constantly changing, and I always say to teachers to remember that their world’s different to your world. Don’t put our expectations from another era onto them.
“We’re a digital school, so we use technology as an aid in learning, while enabling our students to better solve problems, develop independence, work well with others, build relationships, communicate and adapt to different situations.
“So it’s basically instilling these core values, but equally making them future-ready.”
Independent schools are facing unprecedented challenges at this moment in time, with the Government’s imposition of VAT on school fees coupled with a noticeable decline in the birth rate, but Richard says St Columba’s offers a community where every child is known, valued and treasured.
“We care deeply about our young people and are always looking at ways to adapt and adjust their curriculum to ensure they are well-rounded individuals who find a love of learning. This will ensure they transition smoothly up to senior and continue their education journey in a familiar setting.
“The data shows us that children who’ve joined us in the Prep School perform better at GCSE and A-level.
“So it’s the community, the facilities, the environment, the opportunities and the relationships which come out of St Columba’s.
“One of the newest facilities is our Forest School, offering pupils an outdoor learning experience where they can get their hands dirty and immerse themselves in a new environment.
“We reflect on everything and think, how can we tweak this to do it better? So we never sit still, we’re constantly evolving, and we never stop discussing how we can develop fresh opportunities for our young people to grow.
“Also, a lot of schools chop and change staff-wise, whereas our teachers see working at St Columba’s College as a vocation, so there is consistency here – which is a vital component in the development of our pupils.”
One of the perceptions of the school as an outsider, is that once a Columban, always a Columban?
“Yeah that’s right. There’s a network of people who have been there, who always have time for you, are willing to give something back on careers days, offer work experience to students and so on, and they’re all quite sociable people as well.”
This is something which is instilled in those initial years at the school: “We put a lot of attention on communication in whatever form, but also leadership, thinking and learning, and collaboration.
“By all means you can get the top grades in History, Maths and so on, but equally you get the soft skills as well which will separate you from another 18-year-old with four A grades. It’s all about how you interact with people and leave as a well-rounded individual who is polite, well-mannered, and respectful, along with having achieved superb grades.”
Richard’s work in preparing young people for the journey to come involves a Careers programme which is designed to broaden horizons, ignite ambition and equip pupils with the knowledge and confidence to shape their own futures.
“I also teach a subject called Future Prep, which is an approach to skills-based learning, in essence, developing skills in critical thinking, financial literacy and other softer skills that will be vital as these pupils get older. One of the most inspiring elements of this programme is our Spotlight Talks – a unique opportunity for parents to speak directly to pupils about their careers. Whether it’s a leading journalist, a personal trainer, a vaccine researcher or someone working in the creative industries, these talks bring the world of work to life.
“Then they get to complete a project as part of their Prep School Project Qualification, as part of the Independent Prep School Baccalaureate. Pupils have an opportunity of free choice for their project, so one of our students created a cookery book, another wrote a travel blog about when they toured around Italy at Easter – it’s all about giving them a bit of time to explore things that maybe they wouldn’t normally get the chance to do.”
Ultimately, it’s Richard’s passion for his job which is his biggest driver: “Our pupils are the future, you know? I just think that when you’re a child you’ve got so much hope and optimism and actually it’s a privilege for us in not only making these children happy but also having a sort of pathway that’s right for them and recognising their different skills and strengths.
“Ultimately if they’re happy at school then they’ll be brilliant learners, which is what everyone wants to achieve.”
Find out more about St Columba’s College Prep School at their next Open Morning, taking place on Saturday September 27 from 9am-1pm.
