Jeremy Soper (2003 – 2013, Evans) has been selected to be part of the British Hang Gliding Team at the 2023 World Championships. He took the sport up in his final term at the school in order to overcome his fear of heights so that he could pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut. Jeremy subsequently designed, built and test flew his own hang glider and microlight, won the British hang gliding league, gained his aeroplane licence and is presently working towards his helicopter licence. Here, Jeremy talks about his happiest memories and how his time at school helped him get to where he is now.

What is your happiest memory from Taunton School?
Happy memories abound: sustaining 2 unbeaten seasons on the tennis courts as 1st team 1st pair, extra additional further maths (and industrial archaeology) with the inimitable Mr Cutts, castle bashing trips and related shenanigans with the encyclopedic Mr Moule and the cultural studies crew. The memory that really stands out is when I finally gained illicit access to the iconic clock tower after years awaiting the right Diem to Carpe! I congratulate Mr Brown on the discovery, though urge him to scrutinise the graffiti once more since I wasn’t alone in my endeavour.

What do you do now and what do you find most enjoyable about your career?
I’m presently Chief Operations Officer of Asteroid Mining Corporation (AMC), a space start up developing technology to exploit resources in space. There’s platinum in them there asteroids! We must become a fully space faring species and wean ourselves off Earth if humanity is to survive in the long term. Space mining and subsequently in-situ resource utilisation are the first crucial steps. AMC is turning science fiction into reality.

How did Taunton School help you get to where you are now?
For me, TS’ strength lay in the plethora of extracurricular activities on offer and the extra miles that many teachers were willing to go to provide a rounded education. For instance, shy by nature, I wouldn’t today have the confidence to present to space agencies or pitch to investors were it not for the various public speaking opportunities at TS, from balloon debates to delivering a school assembly on my trip to Tibet and even conducting 2 lessons on behalf of some very trusting teachers!