St Bede's Senior School head Dr Richard Maloney would like Don Bradman in his school First XI to dine with John Arlott and to do away with chewing gum

If you hadn’t become a teacher, what do you think you would have done instead?

I’d probably have been a spy.

Who would you most like to have as a pupil, if you could pick anyone?

I think Don Bradman might have been a useful addition to our Cricket First XI

Was there any type of school dinner that you couldn’t stand?

I’ve always liked my food…

What was your favourite lesson?

Any subject that gave me the opportunity to talk – so English, politics and history were especial favourites

Was there ever one you wish you could have missed?

I seem to recall not exactly rushing to my chemistry lessons…

So, your Desert Island disc…Which record would you want with you if you were marooned on a desert island?

Perhaps something long-lasting and demanding a bit of thought – maybe Solti’s recording of Wagner’s Ring Cycle; or, for those more tranquil moments around sunset, Wilhelm Kempff playing Schubert’s piano sonatas

Do you have a favourite current artist or song?

It really depends what you mean by current, but I remain a huge fan of the still productive Neil Young and Bob Dylan

Is there a television programme that you make sure you never miss?

Any match involving the Arsenal

How do you relax away from work?

I’d like to say by running marathons, climbing mountains and flying aeroplanes, but it wouldn’t be true.

If you were invited to go on the television show Room 101, what one thing would you want to see gone from this world?

Chewing gum.

What is your favourite film of all time and why?

Probably Blade Runner for its atmosphere, its ambition and Ridley Scott’s inability to leave it alone even now

If you were to have a meal held in your honour and there was one space still available at the table. Who would you like to fill it, alive or dead?

John Arlott

If you were Prime Minister for one day, what’s the first thing you’d do?

Read every classified document from controversial moments in history that I could

What is special about your school?

In short, our philosophy. Our aim is to recruit students of all abilities, talents and interests and make them feel positive about both their achievements and themselves. We don’t judge children by narrow criteria, instead we try to affirm them as people and liberate their potential and creativity.

Did you know?

St Bede’s was founded in 1978. Its buildings were originally developed at the beginning of the 20th Century by the colourful financier and MP Horatio Bottomley.

Among his many other notable achievements was founding The Financial Times.