TEACHER TUESDAY: James Burns

Name, position at Stonar and when you joined

James Burns, Head of Adventure Training and Stonar Clubs. I joined the school in September 2021.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself (e.g. where you grew up, why you wanted to work in a school etc.)

I grew up on Exmoor in the West Country, where I spent much of my time hiking, running, mountain biking, and riding my motorbike across the moors. My love for the outdoors comes from these early experiences. After a brief period in the British Army, I explored various career paths, working as a commercial property agent, town planner, and marine traffic risk assessor.

In 2009, my family and I made the life-changing decision to move to Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. In Borneo, I worked as a Training Manager, designing and delivering specialist courses in first aid, tropical forest safety, and search and rescue for national park rangers, field researchers, and scientists. Notable projects included establishing a network of defibrillators in remote tourist and research lodges along a large river, and leading a mountain biking expedition around Mount Kinabalu, navigating through dense, untouched jungle, crossing deep rivers, and tackling challenging terrain by riding, pushing, and carrying our bikes.

My work also involved organising residential activity camps for school children, which sparked my interest in working within education. Seeing pupils develop confidence, resilience, and a love for the outdoors is incredibly rewarding.

What has been your best experience so far at Stonar?

When I think about my time at Stonar so far, two moments stand out: last summer’s 9 Peaks Challenge, where staff and pupils scaled the three highest peaks in each of England, Wales, and Scotland, and the school’s inaugural participation in the Ten Tors Challenge. The latter holds a special place in my heart, having completed all three distances of the challenge myself in the past. Training pupils to navigate in poor conditions, to be independent in remote areas and walk long distances carrying 15kg rucksacks – culminating in the emotional moment they cross the finish line – is an experience I will always cherish.

If you could lead an adventure training expedition anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

It's got to be Borneo! Having lived there for nine years and explored many parts of it I know it has so much to offer. From virgin rainforests and tropical reefs to mountains and traditional tribes, it’s an adventurer’s paradise.

What do you like to do in your free time/ hobbies? 

It’s no surprise that my hobbies revolve around the great outdoors. I love spending time in the hills and mountains, whether trekking across open moorland or scrambling along mountain ridges. Cycling is another passion – last year, I completed Chase the Sun, a 330km endurance ride from Minster-on-Sea to Weston-Super-Mare between sunrise and sunset. This year, I’m taking on the Dragon Devil, a 300km ride with 5,000 meters of climbing, one of the UK’s toughest cycling sportives.

When I’m not seeking adventure, I treasure time with my family. We love travelling, exploring new cultures, and discovering exciting cuisines.

If your life was a movie, what would it be? 

When asked what movie best represents my life, I turned to my wife and a colleague for inspiration – both answered the same: Indiana Jones! With my love for adventure, exploration, and learning about remote cultures, I think it’s a perfect fit.

What is a fun fact about you? 

I have a fascinating side project – managing a small boutique resort at the northern tip of Borneo, which I visit twice a year. One of the chalets, entirely built from reclaimed timber, was designed and partly constructed by me. Transporting the large hardwood stilts through dense jungle required an unusual solution – hiring a water buffalo to get the job done!