Richard Honey – This Is Your Bishop's Stortford College Life

After decades of inspiring creativity, nurturing young people and shaping one of Bishop’s Stortford College’s most distinctive communities, Richard Honey is preparing to turn the page to an exciting new chapter.

As Head of Art and long-serving Housemaster of Robert Pearce House (RPH), Richard has left an indelible mark on generations of students. His legacy can be found not only in sketchbooks, studios and exhibitions, but in the lives of the countless young people who passed through his classroom and the doors of “the House on the Hill”.

Building More Than Buildings

When asked to reflect on his most cherished memories of the College, Richard's thoughts turn not to a single moment, but to two projects that helped shape the College for years to come.

The first was the creation of the new Art Block. Being involved from the earliest design discussions through to completion allowed Richard to help realise a vision that would give future students the space and freedom to explore their creativity. What began as a plan and in Richard’s words, a rather ambitious dream, became a reality that continues to inspire young artists every day.

Official opening of the Walter Strachan Art Centre - 2010

Equally significant was the rebuilding of RPH after the devastating fire in 2015. While bricks and mortar changed, preserving the spirit of the House was paramount. Working initially alongside Old Stortfordian Ed Walker (GH, RPH, 94-05) and architects Hawkins Brown, Richard was determined that the unique character of RPH would survive the rebuild. Thanks to the empathy and understanding shown throughout the project, the heart of the House remained intact.

                                                      2015 Fire Damage                                                               Rebuilt RPH - 2017                                                                                                  

The House on the Hill

For many, RPH is more than a boarding house. For Richard, it has been a way of life.

“The House has its own character,” he reflects. “As Housemaster you are merely its custodian.”

It is a philosophy that perfectly encapsulates his approach to pastoral care. Rather than seeking to shape RPH in his own image, Richard saw himself as part of a story much bigger than any one individual. The essence of what it means to be RPH, he believes, remains constant, evolving naturally with each generation while retaining its distinctive identity.

Perched in its unique geographical campus position, RPH has always enjoyed a special sense of community. That feeling of belonging, difficult to define but impossible to deny, is something Richard has carried with him throughout his years as Housemaster and something he knows many Old Stortfordians carry with them long after they leave.

Robert Pearce House - 2002

A Champion of Creativity

Richard arrived at the College in 1994 with a clear vision for the Art Department, founded on a simple yet powerful belief: that every student should have the freedom, encouragement and opportunity to pursue their creative ambitions without limitation.

Under the leadership of Headmaster John Trotman, and with the wholehearted support of colleagues, students were encouraged to think boldly and create without limitations. That philosophy aligned perfectly with Richard’s own belief in the transformative power of artistic freedom.

Throughout his career, he has sought to provide students with the confidence, support and freedom to follow their creative instincts, wherever they might lead. It is an approach that has nurtured countless artists, designers, architects and creative thinkers, but perhaps more importantly, it has helped students develop independence, curiosity and self-belief.

Expect the Unexpected

Teaching, Richard says, has taught him one lesson above all others: always expect the unexpected.

Students have an extraordinary ability to surprise. Sometimes those surprises arrive in challenging ways, but more often they come through moments of ingenuity, resilience and creativity that exceed every expectation. It is a lesson that has kept him engaged, curious and constantly learning throughout his career.

As he puts it, the students have taught him as much about himself as he has ever taught them.

                                                      OS 00's reunion - 2016                                                          RPH Centenary 2023

The Prank That Lives On

No reflection on boarding house life would be complete without at least one legendary story.

Among Richard’s favourites is the unforgettable lunchtime return of Robin Naesemann (RPH, 02–04), who discovered that his entire bedroom had somehow been transported and perfectly recreated outside the front door of RPH.

It remains a tale that captures the humour, camaraderie and ingenuity that have always been part of House life and one that still makes Richard smile today.

What Has Changed and What Hasn't

Schools inevitably evolve over time, and the College today is very different from the school Richard joined 32 years ago.

Facilities have improved, teaching methods have developed and generations of students have come and gone. Yet beneath all the changes, Richard believes the most important ingredient in education remains exactly the same.

“Relationships,” he says simply.

The bonds forged between teachers and students continue to sit at the heart of a successful school. Trust, built on both sides, remains the foundation upon which learning, personal growth and achievement are built.

Advice for the Next Generation

Asked what advice he would offer a BSC leaver stepping out into the world today, Richard’s response is characteristically thoughtful.

Trust your own judgement. Listen to the guidance of those around you, seek support when you need it, but ultimately follow your own path. Stay true to your values, pursue your dreams and have the confidence to make your own decisions.

It is advice that reflects the way he has encouraged students to approach both their art and their lives.

The Next Chapter

Retirement, it turns out, will be anything but quiet.

Richard plans to continue sharing his expertise as an Academic Tutor at the University of Buckingham, helping to train the next generation of teachers. He also intends to expand his work as a school inspector, a role he has been qualified to undertake for the past decade.

Honey's RPH Retirement Celebration - June 2026

And then there is the art.

With a newly completed studio at his home in Yorkshire, Richard is excited to devote more time to developing his own artistic practice and building his profile as an artist—something that has often had to take second place to the demands of a busy school career.

A Lasting Legacy

When asked how he would like to be remembered, Richard's answer focuses not on himself, but on others.

In the Art Department, he hopes students remember the support and freedom they were given to pursue whatever their creativity allowed.

In RPH, he looks to the accomplishments of former pupils around the globe with immense pride. Their achievements, their character and their impact on the world stand as a testament to the community they were part of and to the small role he played in helping shape their journeys.

His final message to students and alumni is both simple and profound:

“Thank you for being part of my story.”

As Bishop’s Stortford College bids farewell to a cherished teacher, Housemaster, mentor and friend, it is clear that Richard Honey's story is inseparable from the stories of thousands of students whose lives he has touched.

And if those students have taught Richard as much as he says they have, then perhaps that is the greatest measure of a life in education: a legacy built not on lessons delivered, but on relationships formed, opportunities created and lives enriched.

Thank you, Richard, for being such an important part of the Stortfordian story. We wish you every happiness in Yorkshire and every success in the adventures still to come.