Senior School News & Events New Bursar Puts People First
New Bursar Puts People First
The new Bursar at Clayesmore, Mike Dyer, has impressive credentials. An Army Colonel, former Commander of the Royal Schools of Signals and Blandford Garrison, and a man who has commanded a troop, a squadron and a regiment on operations during his 36 year career was bound to catch the eye of the Governors when it came to making a new appointment – and so he did.
However, it is his work as Colonel of the Army Welfare Service throughout the last four years that he regards as his most challenging yet rewarding appointment and perhaps strikes the most significant chord with his work now at Clayesmore. Certainly it has played a large part in landing him what he describes as a ‘dream job’, taking over the reins from David Little who retired as Clayesmore’s Bursar at the end of last term after 12 years in post.
Clearly, Mike’s experience as the head of Welfare Services for the Army involved managing and coordinating a diverse mix of over 2000 professionals and volunteers, only 70 of whom were military. His work with Army families in garrisons worldwide involved supporting soldiers wounded on operations, the bereaved and organising a wide range of youth and community support services, as well as liaising with charities to provide the best possible support. The organisation is also responsible for running 140 early years settings (pre schools and nurseries) worldwide; all of which puts him squarely in the people business. Indeed, Mike’s obvious empathy and insight makes him the perfect match for a family orientated school such as Clayesmore – a place with an ethos firmly focussed on caring for the individual needs of every pupil, thereby ensuring happiness, achievement and success.
Sitting in his office in the hub of Clayesmore’s busy administrative centre, Mike reflects: ‘Throughout my whole career, whenever I have made a move I first consider the kind of people with whom I will be working and then identify their needs; that to me is the most important thing. I literally try to find a space to observe individuals in their working environment in order to understand where I will fit in and how I can contribute to the whole. It is the warmth and dedication of the people – staff, pupils and parents at Clayesmore who have drawn me into this school in a really rather compelling way. At Clayesmore I have found a really strong family community and a genuine sense of place, pride and belonging; I am simply delighted to be here.’
Mike and his wife have both settled locally and they have two children. Their son will be joining Clayesmore’s Sixth Form in September while their daughter embarks on her university career studying history. A keen sailing family, in their spare time the Dyers could well be spotted on their ancient but greatly loved sailboat in the Channel or on the Solway Firth near where Mike grew up in Scotland.