A Monmouth teacher is lacing up his boots for an exciting adventure in the world of football.
Mr Lee Jones is taking up the role of House Parent in charge of player welfare and support at Manchester City, the Premier League champions and Champions League runners-up.
Mr Jones has been a Geography teacher at Monmouth School for Girls and has coached girls’ football and even golf for the past 10 years.
He has had a huge impact at Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools, introducing girls’ football in the boarding community and golf, and having worked as a successful Houseparent in boarding, alongside his partner Julie Ann, at both Chapel House and Augusta House. He has also been Head of Year, Sixth Form.
Whilst at Monmouth School for Girls, Mr Jones, a big Leeds United supporter, introduced Golf as a Sixth Form option for girls’ sport, encouraged the students to compete in events and developed a strong connection with Ross-on-Wye Golf Club.
Now Mr Jones, who lives in Monmouth, is looking forward to working with Manchester City football club’s scholars from his education base at the Etihad Stadium.
“I was sad to leave Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools at half-term and I will miss the people, repartee, pupils and the whole wider school community,” he said.
“I enjoyed organising staff social football and cricket matches between our two senior schools because it was a wonderful way to build relationships and friendships between people from different departments and schools which I think is really important.
“The opportunity to work at Manchester City is an exciting one and is a new challenge which will hopefully take me around the world and allow me to indulge my passion for the beautiful game.”
Mr Jones has enjoyed a successful 30-year teaching career, including the Assistant Head Teacher role and Head of Sixth Form post at John Masefield High School in Ledbury for 10 years.
“I enjoyed organising staff social football and cricket matches between our two senior schools because it was a wonderful way to build relationships and friendships between people from different departments and schools which I think is really important.
“The opportunity to work at Manchester City is an exciting one and is a new challenge which will hopefully take me around the world and allow me to indulge my passion for the beautiful game.
“It is also a flexible role, so I will still be living in Monmouth and remain part of this beautiful town.”
Headmistress at Monmouth School for Girls, Mrs Jessica Miles, said: “Mr Jones has carried out all his roles with passion, commitment and sartorial elegance.
“Latterly he has also been throwing himself into running Connexcel’s successful boarding camps for our boarders, with his partner, Julie Ann.
“These have proved to be enormously successful and provided our boarders who have been unable to get home with care, fun and many happy memories.
“My thanks and warm wishes to Lee for all that he has contributed to the life of the school. We wish him all the very best for the future.”
