For any Oundle School pupil, the cheerful face of Barry Thompson, our School Constable, is one that provides a deep sense of reassurance. Barry has dedicated his life to helping those in need, whether that be in the police, as a homeless outreach worker or, as of 2019, ensuring that the pupils at Oundle feel safe. On 11 September, I had the opportunity to speak to Barry about his fascinating life and finally learn the story behind his smiling face.
Growing up, Barry’s interests were not dissimilar to those of many schoolboys. He aspired to become a footballer, playing for, and later captaining, Peterborough Football Club as a junior. He fondly recalled a regional competition that his team won when he was about ten years old.
It was just a few years later that the possibility of joining the police force was introduced to him. Barry’s natural ability to defuse unsafe situations has clearly always shone through as, at the age of just thirteen, he was already successfully breaking up quarrels in his school. It was one of these instances that led to his teacher, an ex-Navy captain, approaching and telling him that he would make a good police officer. On further reflection, Barry felt that this was a defining moment for him as an individual, stating that this short interaction “really made a difference” to him.
With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that Barry soon joined the police force. It was here that Barry began his professional career, holding multiple ranks including Detective Constable, Police Sergeant and Temporary Police Inspector. After an extraordinary thirty years of service, Barry retired, entering the next phase of his career. However, with his passion for helping those around him remaining strong, he became a coroner officer. Coroner officers play a vital role in determining the death of an unknown individual or someone who has died of unnatural causes. Not only would this role have been heavily based on gathering information, but it would have also involved being in constant contact with bereaved families. It was evident that Barry held the support aspect of his role in very high regard, stating that he “went into that job because [he] wanted to help the families.”
Even after leaving this role, Barry continued on a similar path, working as an outreach worker for the homeless, helping many struggling members of the public to not only get back on their feet but to thrive. Barry recalled one instance when he assisted a homeless addict by providing him with accommodation and work. He did not encounter him until months later, and Barry could not believe how much happier and healthier the man he faced was. Countless individuals have been touched by his selfless devotion to duty and service and he continues to keep kindness and compassion at the centre of the work he does.
"Countless individuals have been touched by his selfless devotion to duty and service and he continues to keep kindness and compassion at the centre of the work he does."
It was the experience that Barry had gained from these different professions that led him to become the School Constable. Barry’s skill set has lent itself very well to this role with him already having made a significant contribution to the Oundle community. Barry’s impact on pupils is felt from the beginning of their school career right until their final day. In the past two years, it has become a tradition that incoming students meet Barry during their induction week. This opportunity has only strengthened Barry’s connection with the pupils, with him remarking that “the relationship starts thereafter.” However, the positive impact that Barry has had on Oundelians is best demonstrated by his warm reception at the upper sixth leavers’ ball. Without fail, each generation of students at this event has been filled with gratitude for those that have cared for them during their time at the school. Barry is no exception to this, with him being thanked for not only keeping our community safe but for going far beyond that; for looking out for pupils, both physically and mentally, during the five short years they are under his care. He puts his heart and soul into his work, making every effort to get to know the students as individuals.
One of the final conversations I had with Barry was about how he wanted to be viewed by the people around him. His answer was two-fold. On a professional level, Barry wanted to be thought of as “safe, knowledgeable and dependable,” while personally he wished to be seen as “kind, thoughtful and considerate.” I would say with great certainty that he continues to successfully embody every one of these qualities and the student body could not be more grateful that he is our school constable.
