Headmaster’s Welcome
Our aim at Dunottar is to enable every pupil to be the best that they can be within a nurturing, family environment.
Nineteen years ago I decided to step out of the corporate world to re-train as a teacher. I was driven by a passion to give something back to the community, to make a difference to the lives of young people and to create a new future for myself and my family.
Today, as Headmaster of Dunottar, I could not be more proud of our school. We have a dynamic learning environment where pupils and teachers collaborate using iPads and apps. Pupils make genuine friendships which will last for life. It is exciting to see children exceeding our expectations every day, both academically and in our extensive co-curricular activities. To share the elation of the child who exceeded aspirations with exceptionally high grades in their exams or the joy of our tenacious, award winning robotics team is worth so much. To see so many pupils included in sports fixtures every week, or to feel the creative buzz of our latest drama production or orchestral ensemble is inspiring. This vibrant Dunottar community of pupils, staff and parents raises over £125 every school day to give to local and national charities.
My philosophy of education is that it is all about learning to improve as well as developing character. I love to see our pupils challenging themselves, reaching outside their comfort zone and becoming prepared to go out into the world, ready to make a difference.
My wife Romey and I have never felt more at home or happier than we are at Dunottar. Did I make the right decision all those years ago? No contest.
Mr Mark Tottman
TEDx: A Headmaster’s Philosophy of Education Reform
About Mr Tottman
Mark has a degree in Modern History from Oxford University and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School. Before training to be a teacher, Mark worked for seven years in marketing and operations in the UK service sector, and for eight years as an international management consultant specialising in strategy and change for companies and sports organisations. Prior to becoming Headmaster of Dunottar, Mark was Deputy Head Academic at Dean Close School, Cheltenham, and Group Marketing Director for Dean Close Foundation. Besides his love of teaching Business and Economics, he has been a Head of Department, a Boarding Housemaster and a Head of Rugby. Mark is married to Romey and they have two children. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling, a range of sports, riding his road bike around Surrey and playing chess. Mark is known for his innovative and disruptive approach, encouraging a more transformative approach to education. He is focused on inspiring pupils to become “Warrior Learners”, developing characteristics that will future-proof their lives in a fast-paced and complex world.
