Uplands College is proud to announce that Dr Mark Blew, Deputy Head of College (Pastoral and Boarding), has recently been awarded his Doctorate – a milestone that reflects both his academic rigour and his deep personal commitment to enhancing the boarding experience for young people.
Dr Blew’s doctoral research, focused on The Management of Boarding Houses, is grounded in his own formative experiences within boarding schools – spaces that, in his words, held both the best and worst of life. His motivation stemmed from a desire to improve how pastoral care and boarding practices are delivered: “I wanted to understand how we can make better decisions, create safer environments, and ensure that boarding is fun and enriching for all, while avoiding the harmful legacies of the past.”
The findings from his doctoral journey are already having a meaningful impact at Uplands and beyond. Dr Blew’s work equips him to train and upskill staff in creating environments where young people feel safe, supported and seen. He places strong emphasis on fostering a positive, healthy culture – one that moves away from outdated paradigms of ‘tough love’ and instead centres on empathy, structure and purpose.
“At Uplands, we have an extremely low amount of negative interaction, and any sign of this type of behaviour is met with immediate action by the school,” says Dr Blew. “The culture here is defined by kindness, sensitivity and support – even while it remains robust and aspirational. Boarding offers structure, stability and peer learning, which are particularly valuable during the teenage years.”
In a modern co-educational environment like Uplands, boarding also offers practical advantages. With on-site academic support and high-performance sport training, learners benefit from proximity and routine while developing resilience in a nurturing space. “Life already presents enough challenges,” Dr Blew notes. “We don’t need to perpetuate false narratives about ‘breaking down’ in order to build the next generation. Let’s rather build them up, authentically.”
Head of Uplands College, Mr Allan Laing, praised the achievement: “I was thrilled to learn that Mark was receiving his Doctorate this year. I have been privileged to work alongside him throughout this journey, and it is particularly significant that his research centres on school boarding practices. Uplands is fortunate to have such depth of knowledge and insight on our team.”
Dr Blew’s qualification strengthens Uplands’ position as a thought leader in pastoral care and holistic education, and affirms the school’s commitment to inclusive, forward-thinking approaches that cater to the evolving needs of every learner.