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Olympics star fondly remembers independent school past

Posted on 7th May 2009

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A former Olympics star has spoken about his happy experiences at a Devon private school.

Triple jumper Jonathan Edwards told the Independent about the time he spent at West Buckland, noting that his time there was "everything an education should be".

The athlete, now a commentator and presenter for the BBC, noted that his love of triple jumping began at this private institution.

West Buckland was the site of the world record breaker's first jump, Edwards said, where he came first in his age group at school for the sport.

"I was always timid about going to school, although once I was there I was fine," he explained.

The 42-year-old noted that he "thrived" at West Buckland, which he attended after his father, an Anglican minister, took up a post in Ilfracombe when the athlete-to-be was aged ten.

West Buckland School in Barnstaple has been open since 1858 and caters for boys and girls from three to 18-years-old in its nursery, preparatory and senior schools.