Head of Computing, Ian Ramsden has established the Isidore Society as a place within Downside to welcome pupils who may feel isolated or a little different from their peers.
As Mr Ramsden explained, “I’ve never thought of myself as normal; in my experience, most computer science teachers are a little eccentric! My hobbies and interests are more geek than chic and, unlike my peers growing up, I’ve never been into sports. It was tough at school but, as I’ve grown up, it’s mattered less. Two years ago, I received a message from an ex-pupil I had taught in a previous school: “School was such a struggle for me and you gave my weird self a safe place to exist and I will forever be grateful for that. Thank you! Honestly your kindness and understanding back then saved so many of us, I just hope you realise how much of an impact you’ve made! I’m glad to hear you’re still teaching and I hope you’re doing well I’ve ended up working in pharmacy but I’m toying with the idea of applying for the navy now. Just seeing where life takes me. Never stop being your weird and wonderful self!” I had no idea that some of the pupils I was teaching then felt so isolated. I guess they didn’t feel normal either, but they’d found a place where their normal could be accepted, shared, and celebrated with the same passion they had. With this story in my head, I decided to start the St. Isidore Society at Downside to offer a place to those pupils who needed a place to just be themselves. St. Isidore was a Hispano-Roman scholar, theologian, and archbishop of Seville. In 1997, Pope John Paul II declared St. Isidore the patron saint of the Internet; a worthy patron for our society indeed. We meet every two weeks to discuss popular culture, play games, discover new tv shows, explore our interests and sometimes just to be quiet in likeminded company.”
Downside prides itself in being a welcoming, inclusive and diverse community, and the St. Isidore Society is a great example of just this.