Tribute to Ben Gunstone

It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our dear colleague and friend, Ben Gunstone, who passed away following a period of ill health. His loss leaves a profound emptiness within the Kingdown School community, where he dedicated more than two decades to teaching, supporting, and uplifting the lives of countless students and staff.

Ben joined Kingdown School in 2004 as a Teacher of English, arriving with outstanding recommendations from his previous school. From the moment he stepped into the classroom, it was clear why. His passion for teaching was unmistakable—full of energy, creativity, and warmth. Ben brought English alive for so many Kingdown students, helping them discover not just literature, but confidence, imagination, and a belief in their own voice.

His commitment extended far beyond the English department. Ben went on to become Head of Lord’s House, a role in which his caring and pastoral strengths shone. He supported students with compassion, humour, and unwavering patience. His dedication to wellbeing was remarkable—he even secured independent funding from the Fudge Trust to provide counselling for some of our most vulnerable students, demonstrating his deep belief in the importance of mental and emotional support.

Ben also made a lasting impact through community projects. He worked on Salamander, later known as Spectra, a week-long firefighter course that introduced students to the public service and inspired many to pursue careers in it. His work ensured students had opportunities to grow, learn, and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.

During lockdown, Ben stepped forward as our community link in his role as Assistant Head, ensuring families and the local community remained connected and informed. His actions helped keep our school community together and supported during an incredibly challenging time.

He also served as our Army liaison, working closely with service families to support smooth transitions in and out of the school. He understood the pressures faced by children with deployed parents and consistently went the extra mile to make sure they felt supported, understood, and cared for.

As a colleague and friend, Ben was endlessly funny and full of character and good humour. He loved a good general knowledge question, enjoyed raiding his colleagues’ biscuit stashes, and passionately supported Bristol Rovers—often sharing his excitement and heartbreak over their matches with the same enthusiasm he brought to his teaching. Outside school, he was a talented musician and published author – his creative talents were endless. He was also a very caring father to his two devoted girls.

Ben will be remembered as a gifted teacher, a dedicated mentor, and a truly good man—warm, humorous, principled, and profoundly caring. His influence lives on in the students he inspired, the families he supported, and the colleagues he made smile every single day.

He will be deeply missed by the Kingdown Community.