Mr Gilbert

In the pilot episode “First Day” Mr Gilbert meets new student Will McKenzie (Simon Bird) and takes an instant dislike to him forcing Simon Cooper (Joe Thomas) to show him around the school. In the episode “Bunk Off” Simon and Will phone the school pretending to be Simon’s mother however Gilbert is not convinced and phones their parents. Later in the episode when they are back at school, Mr Gilbert confronts the group telling them that since they are in sixth form they have no legal obligation to stay in school but quickly turns on Will and Simon explaining that pretending to be their parents is fraud and sends the pair to the headteacher. In the episode “Girlfriend” Mr Gilbert is seen hosting a school blind date charity show. In the episode “Xmas Party” Mr Gilbert makes Will the chairman for the Christmas party committee but only because Will was the only person to apply. In 'Fashion Show', Mr Gilbert entrusts Will with collecting money for the charity event the school is hosting. Will originally interprets this as a sign of trust, but is quickly informed that he is being asked to do it as in previous years money had 'gone missing' and because if that were to happen again, Mr Gilbert 'could break' him.

Mr Gilbert is misanthropic, sarcastic and bitter, using his wit and sardonicism to mock and bully the children that he as head of year should look after. [1] Physically, Mr Gilbert is a looming figure which helps him to intimidate others. [2] Will describes him as a “lunatic giant”. He makes his hatred of his job and his students known. Will attempts to endear himself to Mr Gilbert despite his constant animosity towards him.

Portrayed by Greg Davies, Mr Gilbert has been described as one of the funniest characters on the show with him having "some of the funniest moments throughout The Inbetweeners".[3] Before his acting career, Davies "was a real-life teacher for 13 years before becoming a stand-up comedian and actor [...] he was perfectly trained for the role of Rudge Park's scariest teacher".[4][5] "He's kind of the teacher I always fantasised about being because children are absolutely petrified of him."[6]