Ian Smith worked as a teacher at Cowes High School for two years, where he was highly effective in motivating disaffected and low achieving students. He was later promoted to Head of Year, where he supervised Year 9 students and helped them achieve the highest SATs results in the school's history. As Head of Year, Ian inspired and disciplined the students, reflecting the school's policies. Ian is praised as a creative and energetic leader who is able to define clear goals and get the best out of those he supervises. The letter writer highly recommends Ian for any administrative position.

1. 14/04/2004
Testimonial Re: Mr. Ian Fraser Smith
To Whom It May Concern:
I have known Ian Smith for 9 years, initially in the capacity of Student and Staff Exchange Supervisor
and as a Summer School Literacy Instructor. During the period September 2001 - July 2003 he was
appointed to a full time teaching position at Cowes High. During the second year of his appointment
he was promoted to Head of Year and served on the Pastoral Team under my supervision.
Ian was a highly effective teacher at Cowes. During his assignment in the English and Media Studies
Departments his ability to focus, motivate and supervise disaffected learners, low achievers and all boys
sets in their efforts to meet National Curriculum Course Work and GCSE Examination standards was
highly valued throughout the school. His enthusiasm for his assignments and his students was infectious
and earned him the respect of all variety of experienced staff as well as the Senior Management Team.
His appointment to the Pastoral Team as Head of Year was inspired. Ian effectively cajoled, supervised,
inspired and disciplined the Year 9 students providing an effective transition from Middle School that
clearly reflected the policies and ethos of Cowes High School. Two observations made during his
performance management review characterise his work as Head of Year. One of Ian’s responsibilities
was to monitor the academic progress of all Year 9 students including those students at risk of missing
their target grades. Under his supervision the Year Group achieved the highest SATS results in the
history of Cowes High, exceeding the previous best by 14 points. Also,his end of year assembly included
a lively and appropriate prize giving and live musical performances. An uproar of applause as well as
a standing ovation from his charges was confirmation of the genuine respect that the students had for
his efforts on their behalf.
Ian Smith is a creative and energetic leader of staff and students who is able to clearly define goals

2. and elicit the best from those he is charged with supervising. His loss to the staff at Cowes was keenly
felt and he remains one of the best Year Heads, foreign or domestic, that I have had the pleasure of
working with.
I highly recommend Ian for any administrative post within your system. He is certain to invigorate staff
and students alike through his efforts.
Faithfully,
Trevor Osborne