Gavin has been passionate about Astronomy since he was nine years old and first saw Saturn in a telescope while at Twyford Prep School. He has a Certificate of Higher Education in Astronomy and Cosmology, and is now in the final stages of completing a BSc Hons in Astronomy with the University of Lancashire. His first degree is a BA Hons in Photography, Film and Video from the University of Westminster, but it is astrophotography that has been his main interest; he was shortlisted for the International Astronomy Photographer of the Year award in 2019 with work from his own back garden observatory. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 2021.
Gavin started work with the Astronomy Department in 2016, helping with lesson cover and observing sessions at the Blackett Observatory. In 2019 he was officially made the Astronomy Assistant to Charles Barclay. Then in 2022, on Charles’ retirement, Gavin was appointed as the teacher of Astronomy and Director of the Blackett Observatory. He hosts a large number of visits to the Observatory through the year, not only for his Astronomy GCSE pupils, but also for a plethora of outreach visit groups ranging from Cubs and Scouts to schools, Astronomy Societies, the WI and the U3a.
Gavin also teaches Physics to the Lower School and the EPQ to the Upper School.