“Hi Chris, here's the reference. I hope it's ok … I kept wanting to write it but every time I started I found it really hard to put into words how special your lessons were….They were in a league of their own. I've really enjoyed writing this and it's actually made me quite emotional, I'm so grateful and really wish I could be back in those lessons right now. Thank you so much for reaching out”
"Mr Adams was my A level Maths teacher. Not only did he play a huge part in my academic achievements with constant help and support, but he also managed to create an environment that allowed every student to feel comfortable to ask questions and have open discussions. His teaching style somehow made extremely tricky-to-grasp topics feel simpler to understand. It was clear to me throughout my A-levels that Mr Adams really cared about each student, and I think this is the major reason why I'll always look back on his class with such fond memories of the rewarding and enjoyable experience it was."
“Someone along my journey to becoming a teacher myself, once told me that kids don't learn anything from people that they don't like, respect and want to work hard for. Mr Adams was one of the teachers that 'got this'. He hadn't forgotten what it’s like to be a teenager and he struck that balance between always trying to coax the best from me, whilst understanding that the learning process isn't just about imparting Maths knowledge from teacher to student! He 'got' that some days were off days, some days we needed more motivating, some days we needed a bit of freedom, some days we needed to figure it out ourselves and some days we just needed something repeated as many times as it took to get it! The thing about Mr Adams that really sticks in my mind, however, is that he always, always believed in me and wanted me to do the best that I could in Maths.”
“Chris has an unswerving appetite to help every student achieve their goals. He blends an intuitive ability to relate to students in the classroom with a deep understanding of backgrounds gained over many years of being an outstanding Head of Year. He always treats students with the utmost respect without accepting any excuses for underperformance. During my time working with Chris, he was always happy to share his insight, expertise, and experience. “
“Dear Mr Adams, you are one of those special teachers that really makes a difference to a child’s life, my son has loved your lessons. You have that right balance of respect, discipline, fun and a real passion for your subject to make an inspirational teacher……thanks for being a super teacher, we need more like you in our schools.”
“Chris Adams taught all of my children Maths, and was also Head of Year to my eldest child. He’s a fantastic teacher and really engages the students. He also organized a 4 week trip to Tanzania, which my son went on and it will leave a lasting impression on his life and Mr Adams was at the heart of it. I knew my child was going to be taken great care of and felt happy that Chris was leading the trip.”
“I would thoroughly recommend Chris.
My 3 children all attended Bartholomew School and Chris taught them all Maths at various times during their secondary education, including two of them for their GCSE’s. His passion, dedication and ability as a Maths teacher are clear for all too see and I’m so glad he was their teacher as they both exceeded their forecast grades. Thanks Chris”
“Mr Adams is a truly dedicated teacher. He used to run Maths clinics after school to help students "troubleshoot" any aspects of the subject they were finding particularly difficult. He believed in every one of his students and refused to give up on them. Without his belief, enthusiasm or dedication I highly doubt I would have passed my Maths A-level!”
“Mr Adams is an incredibly understanding and experienced Maths teacher and well-respected colleague. There is energy and optimism to the way he teaches; he cares about his students and wholeheartedly believes in them, taking time to help them gain the rewards they get from learning”
“Mr Adams was one of my best teachers. He provided me with academic support, self-belief, and motivation for life.
Looking back, his lessons are a highlight of my time at school, thanks to his infectious passion for the subject and his ability to make mathematical concepts easy to understand. Because of this, I now have a greater appreciation of Mathematics and its wider context.
His teaching methods are highly engaging and motivating, and as a result his lessons are very rewarding to participate in. He creates a learning environment where everyone feels equal, valued, and welcome. Mr Adams found the potential in every student in our class. By doing this he brought together a wide range of students of all abilities. He always went the extra mile and would never stop short of giving someone as much help as they needed. I always looked forward to his lessons, which in turn made me more motivated to work on Maths outside of class.
I feel fortunate to have been taught by Mr Adams and I won’t ever forget him as both a teacher and mentor. I am confident that anyone he teaches in the future will have an amazing experience.”
“I had the great pleasure of working with Chris Adams for many years and always admired his professionalism and his dedication to the education of young people. As my Head of Year for five years he was a supportive and utterly dependable leader, respected by colleagues and students alike. Both my own children loved being taught Maths by him and were inspired to go on to study Maths beyond degree level. Chris is great at knowing how to communicate his ideas with people of all ages; he is meticulously organized and is a positive person to be around!”
“Chris is a highly respected member of staff, his drive and passion for teaching comes across in all areas of his work, he has excellent knowledge of the curriculum and wide ranging experience of teaching all abilities and Key Stages 3, 4 & 5. His lessons are well planned and engaging, motivating students of all ability in their learning of Mathematics”
“Chris taught both my daughters; they liked the way he clearly explained even the more complex Mathematics but just as importantly, he built a good teacher / student rapport to get the best from each of them”
“I was never the best at Maths … however, the last 2 years of Maths with you have been my favourite part of school….The way you teach Maths is so helpful and understandable that I went from terrified of my Maths exam to almost excited…. Early on in Year 10 I had the chance to move up a class, and I am so glad I chose to stay where I was, as I got to have you as a teacher for 2 years….I’m sad I won’t have you as a teacher anymore.”
“Mr Adams was my favourite teacher while I was at school. His dynamic and exciting approach to teaching coupled with the fact that he was very knowledgeable about his subject always led to fun lessons and I learned a lot while I was his student. His passion was infectious and his boundless patience (with me mostly) ensured the whole class understood the work we had been set.
I was also lucky enough to have him as my Head of Year for the later part of my school years and he lead a school trip to Tanzania where amongst other things we took part in conservation work, helped to build classrooms for local schools and climbed Mt Meru the fifth highest mountain in Africa.”
"I have known and taught with Chris for 5 years. In my capacity as Assistant Headteacher at Bartholomew Secondary School, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with Chris in his duties both as a highly successful Head of Year and equally successful member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Chris has a natural ability to combine rigour and discipline with empathy and inspiration in all student areas. His attention to detail and fastidious use of data ensures that every student either under Chris's mathematical or pastoral leadership achieves the very highest standards in all that they do.
When Chris left Bartholomew school to relocate in 2019, his leaving speech to staff drew a 2 minute round of applause, standing ovation and not a dry eye in the hall. This is a measure of the heart felt warmth and respect the school has for Chris"