MY BURFORD - MRS JULIE MORSE- PA TO MISS SKERTEN, DEPUTY HEAD AND ADMISSIONS OFFICER

Julie Morse reflects on her role as PA to Miss Skerten, Deputy Head and Admissions Officer and time at Burford School as part of our new 'My Burford' series.

This feature series aims to shine a spotlight on the superb staff team at Burford who make it possible for us to offer 'the best of education' to our students.

“I started working at Burford in October 1992.  After leaving school I worked at The Oxford Journal and then an agricultural company in their purchasing department.  I then joined a Knitting Machine company where I travelled the UK looking after Demonstrators. My favourite place to visit was our demonstrator in Liberty’s, Regent Street – such a glorious building, I left them to become a Mum, my most rewarding role to date.  I was lucky that I didn’t work when bringing up my two children, but once they were at Burford Pre-school, my Burford Life began.

I started in the Boarding department to cover maternity leave and ended up staying there, before relocating to the main school in the Learning Support department. I then became the receptionist for many years before my current role as PA to Miss Skerten and Admissions Officer. My main role in Burford is looking after Miss Skerten! As the Admissions Officer I guide parents through our admission process. Making sure new students have a smooth transition to Burford whether they are joining us in Year 7 or Year 10!  I’m fortunate because I enjoy my work, which is made so much easier by the wonderful rapport between me and Miss Skerten.

Burford has been such a big part of my life since I was 11 years old so 47 years in total. After living in Witney for a few years I was so pleased when we were able to buy a house in Burford as we desperately wanted our children Ben and Stevie to attend both Burford Primary and then here. I am very proud of my children who are now 37 and 35, but they will always be my babies. Burford has helped them become who they are today, with a bit of help from me and their Dad! Speaking of their Dad, I have been married to Paul for 38 years and we now have a wonderful Grandson, Harley who is our life, along with my 10-year-old English Springer Spaniel, Rhea. Ben and Stevie accept that they have gone down the pecking order!

Having been a student here and a member of staff I have made lifelong friends and have seen many children join us, some very worried and unsure who then leave as well rounded, confident young people. So much has changed during my years here, not just the campus but life in general. We endured the Covid months, hopefully never to be repeated, but I’m also very proud of how as a school community we pulled together, knowing how hard it was for some of our families.

I always look forward to our biannual music productions. Having seen so many over the years and thinking they can’t top this, but they always do. Our young people are amazing and I’m always in tears for their encores.

When I’m not at work I enjoy walking Rhea, spending as much time as possible with Harley, making memories for him. I am a big Arsenal fan as anyone passing my office will testify, some students know it as the Arsenal and puppie’s office due to all the pictures on my wall.  On the top of my to-do list is to get ready for my retirement in a few years. Miss Skerten and I have ‘pinky-promised’ to leave at the same time. 

Finally, if I was asked to describe Burford in 3 words, they would be Inclusive, Happy and Caring:

Inclusive – this is very important to me: anyone can be part of Burford.

Happy – Burford is a happy place to be, I know we all have our off days but having been part of both Burford Life and the ‘Real’ World I would choose Burford every time.

Caring – we nurture our young people and make them the best they can be.”