The excitement you feel when lightning strikes. Roughly translated, that was my name in the rainforest, my Guarani name. Now, I have many names, most of them both expletive and offensive, but you can Call me Ishmael! Just kidding. Luke will do.

​

Alongside my many names I have a few letters too, before my names and after them, with a shedload of prizes for being "the best" at this University and that. I've broken records for the highest examination marks ever awarded, my research has been funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, I write poetry, make films, and, if I do say so myself, I'm a pretty good bartender, so long as you don't want cocktails —I'm not into any of that faff.... A pint of best and a vodka tonic is about as good as you get. 

​

I founded l'Éducation Totale because I did all o' this stuff as if by accident. I had Something, something forged on a rough Mancunian council estate that still had a wicked Library and brilliant folk of all shapes and sizes and histories and hue. That Something brought me not a little bit of luck, confidence, outspokenness, the ability to wrangle myself out of sticky situations, self assuredness, ambition, and a charm and cheekiness that comes only from the knowledge that in the end there are no rules that can't be bent. Others, broken. 

​

I wanted to found a new kind of Education where smashing exams is the easy part and the building of the self takes priority. Grades are ten a penny these days, and the Winner Takes All. 

​

The love of my life thinks that "Top Gun" is propaganda, but for me, it's a banger, and still holds sway in my heart. Perhaps you feel a bit wary, entrusting your future with such a bunch of wildcards, but our achievements and experience speak for themselves. As Maverick put it, "I can see that it's dangerous for you, but if the government trusts me, maybe you could."