People of IPS Cascais: Leo Holdstock

Leo has been a teacher at IPS Cascais for 10 years and is now the Deputy Head, Teaching and Learning. He began as a KS2 teacher, following which he became a KS3 Maths teacher.  He firmly believes  that by creating a happy, engaging learning environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired, they will thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Where did you grow up, and what was it like there? 

I was born in Leicester but moved to Barnes, in South West London, just before my 7th birthday. It is a lovely, leafy area right on the banks of the River Thames. There, I attended St Paul’s Boys School, which was just a short walk from my home.

What’s a tradition your family had while growing up that you still cherish? 

One tradition my family had was our Sunday lunches. My mother would do a roast every week and we would all sit and talk with no distractions. Quality family time is so important and I still make a point of having family meals whenever possible.

What’s your all-time favorite book, movie, band or TV show? 

When I was young, like many children, I was a bit of a reluctant reader. Then when I was 11, I walked into a W. H. Smiths and saw an eye-catching display of books. On the cover of the books was a young boy with untidy black hair, round glasses with a thin frame, green eyes and a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. The book: Harry Potter. When I began reading the story, for the first time in my life, I simply could not put the book down. Harry Potter sparked my lifelong love for fantasy literature, leading me from Terry Pratchett’s absurdly funny Discworld to George R. R. Martin’s Westeros.   

What’s a favourite memory from your childhood?

My favourite childhood memory is lying on a sun lounger next to my father in Cyprus and looking at the night sky full of stars. It was truly breathtaking and like nothing I had ever seen in England. We discussed various theories about the Big Bang and the size and shape of the universe. It really made me think about how little we know about our own existence and filled me with a sense of awe that I still carry to this day.

How did you become interested in working in education?

Both of my parents were teachers. My mother taught Art from Nursery to A-Level and my father taught common entrance English and Religious Education. Therefore, naturally, as a child, being a teacher was the last career I wanted to pursue. I wanted to be an actor, or a vet, or an astronaut… However, when I was 16, I went to do a week’s job experience at a prep school in London. On my first day, I was asked to cover a class of Year 8 pupils. They were to be introduced to Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I - a play I had never read. With 30 minutes to prepare, I cobbled together a drama lesson based around the comic character of Falstaff. The lesson was a hit with the pupils, and I fell in love with teaching. 

Tell us about your greatest achievement

My greatest achievement is moving to Portugal with my (now) wife, Sónia and having my son, Tomás. Being a husband and a father is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.

What is your steepest learning curve?

My steepest learning curve has been developing a secondary school while maintaining the core values of IPS as a primary school. Balancing the nurturing ethos of our primary school with building a rigorous secondary curriculum has been both challenging and rewarding. As we prepare our first cohort for the IGCSE course next year, we are focused on ensuring a seamless transition, helping them feel supported as they face the challenges of secondary education.

How do you remain curious? 

Socrates is credited with saying, “The more I know, the more I realise I know nothing.” This is often how I feel during a pub quiz. I know so many snippets of information, but these nuggets rarely align with what the quizmaster is asking. This is why I love learning new things. No matter how much you know, there is no limit to gaining new information or experiencing new things.

What motivates you to keep going during challenging times? 

What motivates me during challenging times is the belief that small steps lead to progress. 1% beats 0% every time. Even when things feel tough, focusing on incremental improvements keeps me going. As the Chinese proverb states, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".

Who is someone in your life who has had a significant influence on who you are today? 

My grandfather lived with my family when I was growing up and he was a keen cruciverbalist and loved puzzles. I used to sit and watch Countdown every day with him after school before doing my homework. I was always good at the numbers round and grew to love the letters game. I credit those afternoons with my grandfather for sparking my love of puzzles and riddles.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

My father used to always joke about ‘Holdstock’s First Law of Schoolmastering’ which was, “Never wear light trousers.” It is one of those practical pieces of wisdom that stuck with me, often bringing a smile to my face. While it may seem trivial, it reminds me to think ahead and be mindful of the small details. Sometimes those little things can have a big impact.

IPS Cascais is a great place because...

IPS Cascais is a great place because everyone who crosses the threshold really, truly cares. The pupils at IPS are keen to learn, keen to impress and keen to do well; the parents at IPS are invested in their children’s education; and the staff can be relied upon to go above and beyond for all of the children in their care and work tirelessly to provide a truly world-class learning experience.

What would you like the community of IPS to know about you?

I am committed to working closely with teachers, parents, and pupils to foster a culture of kindness, curiosity, and growth at IPS. I believe every child has unique strengths, and my goal is to help them build on those in a supportive, inclusive environment. I am passionate about creating opportunities for all to reach their full potential.

What’s something you hope to accomplish in the next five years? 

In five years time, our current Year 9s will have finished their schooling at IPS. They will be at universities around the world and embarking on the next stage of their lives. My goal over the coming years is to ensure all the pupils who pass through IPS are as well equipped as they could possibly be for this next exciting chapter. I hope that they will come back and visit us and share their stories of success.