At Beachborough Prep, our teachers bring far more than subject knowledge to the classroom – they bring curiosity, passion and a genuine desire to inspire young minds.
In this week’s edition, we shine a spotlight on Robert Cowan, our Head of Technology, Engineering and Design (TED), who joined the school in June 2025.
From a lifelong fascination with engineering to a love of problem-solving and the outdoors, Robert shares a little about the experiences that have shaped him and what he enjoys most about being part of the Beachborough community.
Robert, tell us a little about yourself – what you’re passionate about, your background and what makes you, you.
Although I am not an Engineer, I have always been an enthusiastic amateur and have been building and racing hovercraft since the age of 13.
I went to school in Kenya, which instilled in me a love of the outdoors and a deep appreciation of the environment. It also gave me an awareness of the challenges our planet faces, and the importance of what we can do, both individually and collectively, to protect and preserve it.
I have always loved problem-solving and remain endlessly curious about why things are designed and built the way they are. I am particularly interested in how innovations in materials and technologies might improve the way things work in the future.
What do you love the most about being part of the Beachborough team?
The pupils constantly surprise me with their boundless energy, enthusiasm, wit and ability. No two days are ever quite the same, and that makes being here incredibly rewarding.
What inspired you to do what you do and what keeps you passionate about it today?
In many ways, I was always destined to be a teacher, both of my parents were teachers. More than that, though, I have always found other people’s projects and problems more fascinating than my own. To this day, I derive far more enjoyment and satisfaction from helping others to achieve their goals and ambitions.
I was also fortunate to have had several incredibly influential teachers during my own school days. Some of them I am still in touch with today, and their compassion and encouragement are qualities I can only hope to emulate in my own teaching.
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Robert’s curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm for learning reflect the spirit of the TED department and the wider Beachborough Prep community.
Whether guiding pupils through new design challenges or encouraging them to think differently about the world around them, he continues to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
