Class of 1972
Certificate in Education
IF YOU STUDIED YOUR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMME AT YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES, DID YOU GO ON TO POSTGRADUATE STUDY?
Yes, somewhere else.
JOB:
Former Headteacher with North Yorkshire County Council and Associate Lecturer with the Open University
WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THIS PHOTO AS YOUR YSJ SNAPSHOT?
At Ripon College I studied Art as my main subject, within a primary/secondary education course, specialising in pottery. As part of the Art course we stayed in London for a week, visiting galleries and museums. This photograph shows me, on the right, with a group of friends outside of the Houses of Parliament, during our London trip.
WHAT ARE YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES OF RIPON COLLEGE?
I loved the whole Ripon College experience, which for me included working in the Art Department, being a chapel warden and occasional reader, singing with St Margaret’s Singers, canoeing on the River Ure, folk singing, and helping with the Cathedral Youth Club, not forgetting occasional visits to the delightful Cosy Cafe! I was proud to be one of the first group of twenty-four men to join this former ladies’ college. Many of this group meet regularly for reunions, and enjoy retelling the same old stories.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY OR FOUNDER COLLEGES?
I chose Ripon initially because it was offering a specialist secondary English course, and then moved to Art within the first few days, and never regretted it. The Art and Craft course has served me well during my teaching in primary and secondary schools.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE COMPLETING YOUR STUDIES?
I worked in a secondary school Art Department for seven years, before moving to primary schools where I became a deputy head, and then head of a village primary school. I enjoyed all of my teaching, but particularly the twenty-one years as head of a village school in rural North Yorkshire. I completed an MA in Primary Education at the University of York, and also a Doctorate of Education, with the Open University, sponsored by the National College for School Leadership. Following my early retirement in 2009, I worked as an Associate Lecturer with the Open University, where I taught ‘Children’s Literature’ for ten years. Now, fully retired, I enjoy cycling, sailing, table tennis and volunteering with the National Trust.
WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A CURRENT STUDENT, OR ONE ABOUT TO GRADUATE?
Root your teaching in a sound ethos, for me it was a strong belief in child centred education. You will find that the structure and content of education, even the teaching methods you were taught at university, will be challenged and may change over time, and you will need to hang on to your principles and beliefs. Enjoy your teaching!