AT the age of 22 fresh out of teacher training college, Joseph Short was parachuted into a school in one of the UK’s toughest areas.
Working in an inner city school in Liverpool was, in his words, a ‘complete baptism of fire’ and definitely led to plenty of soul searching about his choice of career.
“It was really rough getting thrown in the deep end,” he explains.
“I made so many mistakes – as you do – but I caught up in the end and taught there for two years.”
He then journeyed into the world of international education and has taught across Spain in Sevilla, Murcia and Marbella, climbing up the leadership ladder with each school.
So, it is with a true sense of joy that the Maths teacher has just become the founding Principal of the most exciting school to open on the Costa del Sol for years.
A ‘unique school for Spain’ focusing on science, maths and technology, the aim is to cultivate a generation of exceptional thinkers and creators.
Based on the STEM-focused concept, Creators has just opened in Benahavis in the hills above Marbella.
With a team of 15 fully qualified teachers and dozens of purpose-built classrooms and communal areas, it is set to become one of the leading schools on the coast.
“All of our staff have high level qualifications in their subject areas. Many with masters degrees and two even have PhDs. They all teach their own subject of speciality,” explains Short.
“The class sizes will never go over 12 and we have two full scholarships for children who come from families who may need some extra support in order to afford the fees,” he adds.
“I’m not a businessman, I’m an educator and we are here to make sure we are financially stable, not make a fortune.”
It is this key claim that will set Creators up apart from most of the private schools on the coast, which, in some cases, can be all about ‘money, money, money’ Short points out.
“We are not a chain, and our remit is to ensure that our pupils are gifted in maths and science and we are here to encourage and develop them.”
Short, who grew up in Liverpool, before attending Lancaster University, landed the role after meeting the owner, whose kids he had been teaching at his former job in Marbella.
Unfortunately, like any project in Spain, the bureaucracy has meant that it has taken over two years to finally get the licences to open.
With a mission to develop ‘innovators, leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs and global citizens of the future’ it has high ambitions.
The school will be for students aged seven to 18, but its first intake this month begins with Year seven (11-year-olds) and above.
Following the British curriculum with international elements, students spend more than 22 hours per week on specialised subjects, including maths, physics and computer science, considerably more than at a typical school.
Maths will be particularly prominent.
Key Stage 3 pupils are timetabled for ten maths lessons a week, alongside four each in biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and ICT.
Other subjects such as English, Spanish, humanities, art and music are also included and equally valued.
Older students will work towards IGCSEs, GCSEs and A-Levels, with sixth-form pathways including engineering, finance and medicine, as well as computer science and an Extended Project Qualification.
Established in a former four-star hotel, it is immediately clear that the facilities are aiming equally high, with excellent grounds that include an almost Olympic-style heated pool and extraordinary underground gym.
Future plans include boarding facilities for up to 100 kids, with each of the rooms being former hotel rooms and therefore well-appointed and ensuite.
Recently-married to an accountant working at EY in Gibraltar, Short is well settled on the Costa del Sol and is a huge fan of the area and a keen hiker.
“We got out most weekends walking in the hills with our dog,” he explains. “We are very lucky to live here.”
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Don’t like the red tape here, then simply leave, much room needed for locals though.