Giles Ashman’s career and time spent at Exeter School has made him into the ultimate Exonian: a man who so enjoyed his time at Exeter School as a child that he decided to come back as a teacher.

Giles started his association with the school as a bright and fresh teenager back in 1982. Being 14, he joined the Lower Fifth as a boarder, his dormitory being where the top floor of the senior library is now. Apparently, his favourite band was Depeche Mode, which might explain the New Romantic eyeliner and earring which did not exactly enthral the teachers of his day.

After achieving a decent set of A Levels and completing his studies at the School of Slavonic Studies, Giles set out to light up the heady world of insurance. Successful as he was in this industry, the pull of Exeter city, Exeter School, and Devon remained.

Giles trained to become a teacher at Rolle College Exmouth, and, after cutting his teeth in the state sector, re-joined Exeter School in the junior school. Giles’ passions were - and still are - football, cricket, and history; we have been lucky enough to have him lead the school forward in all these key areas.

In case you didn’t know - and perhaps you do indeed live on the moon - Giles is a huge Exeter City fan. In 1973, the four-year-old Giles was taken to watch his first game (Exeter City 1, Workington 1 - in case you wondered). Thus, Giles started his lifelong relationship with the mighty Exeter City FC. It has been a sometimes rocky relationship, but they are still together after almost fifty years.

Another great passion for Giles Ashman has been his teaching. It is easy for a piece like this to drift into a long series of accomplishments, so here is a flavour of what the man himself would probably regard as his greatest moments at Exeter School.

At both U11 and U18 levels, Giles has led the school to fantastic success in football, both in terms of matches won, and in terms of players developed. In 2014 he led the U11A football team to become south west champions, and to play at Portsmouth, representing Exeter City FC in the national finals: a proud moment for a City fan.

In the 2019/20 football season, Giles led the U18 football team to win their league. This was no small accomplishment: they played against excellent local teams, some of whom specialised in football. Current Exeter Junior School gap year pupil, James Horler, was in that very team.

As well as football, Giles Ashman has been a leading teacher of cricket. He has coached the U14s, the second team and the U11A, producing some great teams over the years. From 1994 -2012 he was also the U11 Devon cricket coach.

The highlight of Mr Ashman’s cricketing leadership has to be the U11A boys’ national finals. This team went on to win and become English national champions. The boys played brilliantly, inspired by their coach and with a certain Mr Pidwell carrying their bags behind them. In an incredible career, I’m sure that was one moment Giles will never forget.

One or two now-famous cricketers have also been coached by Mr Ashman and are household names.

Giles has led Exeter Junior School forward in terms of outdoor pursuits. He developed Exeter Junior School’s association with Haven Banks and with many other out-of-school groups from the wider community. Some older Exonians may even remember being deafened and eating dirt whilst watching the speedway with a very excited Mr Ashman. As Giles has entered the halcyon years of his teaching career at Exeter School, he has developed his role with the old Exonians. He is now games secretary and oversees hugely exciting and competitive matches between the first teams and old Exonians keen to show the young whippersnappers a thing or two. I know Giles will always think of himself as an old Exonian for the rest of his days.

It is hard to imagine an Exeter School without Giles Ashman. A legend to small and quite (old) big boys and girls, many still cherish the nicknames he bestowed upon them. Captains of industry still quake with excitement at seeing their old schoolmaster again. At heart, Giles will always be an Exeter School pupil, and a proud Exonian. Cut him and he’ll bleed maroon and blue.