Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis goes back to school

Aimee Brannen

Published: 7:16 AM February 15, 2012 Updated: 7:54 PM October 15, 2020

It was back to school for ‘dragon’ Theo Paphitis when he filmed a TV charity appeal.

The Dragon’s Den star returned to Ambler Primary School in Finsbury Park, which he attended as a child, to make a film about dyslexia for this coming Sunday’s Lifeline programme.

In the show for the BBC he makes an appeal for the British Institute for Brain Injured Children (BIBIC) which specialises in supporting children with learning disabilities. The straight-talking Dragon spoke from personal experience as he is dyslexic.

Speaking of his time at his former school in Blackstock Road, he said: “There is no question in my mind that Ambler Primary School played a big part in moulding my character and in turn, I suppose, made me the man I am today.”

During his visit on January 26, Mr Paphitis met all the classes and held a question and answer session with enterprising Year 5 pupils who were pitching to run the school’s new tuck shop.

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Ambler head teacher Juliet Benis said: “He was absolutely lovely to everyone and he took the time to do a fantastic question and answer session with the year 5 pupils to help them develop their pitches to run the tuck shop. He also officially opened our new flexible learning space which the children have named The Tech Lounge.”

Cllr Richard Watts, executive member for children and families said: “As a dyslexic myself I am pleased to be able to say that Ambler, and indeed all our schools, do a great deal to support children with dyslexia and literacy difficulties.”