Boarding Reflections – Joe Sibley CO14

Having grown up on the Isles of Scilly, Joe joined Truro School for Sixth Form, boarding out of necessity due to the lack of A-Level provision on the islands. While leaving home at 16 felt daunting, Truro School quickly became a “home from home”.

“Boarding was a really positive experience,” Joe reflects. “The staff were supportive, the food was good, and there were always activities at weekends. It gave me the structure and space to really focus on my studies, while also being part of a friendly, like-minded community.”

Joe lived in Trennick House under the care of houseparent Mr Austin, whom he remembers fondly as “very fair and a real gent”. In Upper Sixth, Joe was appointed a Prefect of Boarding – a role he describes as a privilege and an opportunity to give something back to a community that had supported him.

Looking back, Joe believes boarding had a hugely positive impact on his education, helping him develop independence and confidence alongside academic focus. It is an experience he wholeheartedly recommends to families considering Truro School boarding.

One of Joe’s strongest memories of school life is the people. “What made it all so memorable was being surrounded by like-minded teammates who were willing to work hard and play hard,” he says. Whether it was weekends in boarding, time spent in the Design and Technology workshops, or pushing through Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions in Slovenia, Joe felt that being surrounded by people with that same energy and attitude made everything better. “It felt like a proper community” he says.

Design and Technology quickly became Joe’s favourite subject, sparking an interest that would later shape his career. Alongside schoolwork, he threw himself into extra-curricular life, taking part in DofE, sailing and sliding-seat rowing.

After leaving Truro School, Joe went on to study Building Surveying at the University of Plymouth. Drawn to the construction industry and keen to keep his options open, he found the degree provided a “very rounded course” applicable across many areas of the sector.

Joe’s career began with Kier Construction, where he worked as a Trainee Site Manager and Façade Manager. He later moved to Macegreen as a Project Manager, before returning to Kier to manage the façade on a large Passivhaus leisure centre scheme in Exeter. After gaining further experience with a local housing developer in Cornwall, Joe took the leap into entrepreneurship, founding Sibley & Co. Construction and Project Management (sibleyandco.co.uk) in 2024, based in Falmouth.

When asked what inspired his career path, Joe says: “Primarily the opportunities presented to me at the time.” His advice to current students is: “make the most of every opportunity presented to you.”

Outside of work, Joe leads a busy and adventurous life. He lives in Falmouth with his wife Tasha and their one-year-old son, Theo, in a home they built themselves. A dedicated RNLI volunteer since 2014, Joe serves on the Falmouth Lifeboat as a Helm, Mechanic and Navigator, and is currently training as a Coxswain. He is also a keen kitesurfer, sailor and skier.

Joe remains close friends with several fellow Old Truronians, including Alex Rodda CO14 (who were each others best men at their weddings), Chris Vroon CO14, Liam Kirkby CO14, Matt Lawrence CO14 and Will Whitworth CO14.

Reflecting on his school days, Joe sums up his Truro School experience in three words: opportunity, growth and community.

“What makes me proud to be an Old Truronian,” Joe says, “is that Truro School is a fantastic place to learn and a great community to be part of.”