Andrew McLean: from geography to lecturing and back again
Introducing Andy
Andrew McLean grew up in North East Derbyshire and now lives in Lincolnshire. Andy completed his course in 1968 before beginning his career in further and higher education. Now retired, in his spare time Andy enjoys active pursuits like gardening, hill walking and skiing. He also enjoys keeping up with the latest geographical developments and researching his family history.
When we asked Andy about what he’d consider his greatest achievement, he had two very different answers!
My light-hearted answer – being co-founder of the Angling Club when at the Grammar School that I attended. It was somewhat revolutionary compared with the other societies. I enjoy bringing about change.
Managing change in a large college to establish flexible vocational courses for adults and young people.
Widening access to qualifications for teachers, trainers, etc eg BSL teachers, and progression for military personnel.
His time at York St John
What did you study and why did you pick York St John to study it?
Geography and Education, as well as a subsidiary course in television. At the time, St John’s led the field in CCTV in education.
When you started your course, did you have any idea what you’d do afterwards? How was this idea different than what actually happened?
I expected to become a secondary school teacher. I more or less stumbled into a post as an assistant lecturer in a college of technology.
Where was your favourite place in York?
The River Ouse – I greatly enjoyed rowing.
Did you have a favourite place on campus? If so, why?
May I choose two places: the old quadrangle, and the room overlooking the tennis courts during my third year.
What’s your favourite memory from when you studied with us?
Discussions with Mr R. O. Smith M.A. I really wish to remember so many thoroughly decent, helpful people who worked at the college.
What was the biggest challenge you faced whilst studying?
During my fourth year, accommodating to the dire forecast made for all of us by one education lecturer during his first lecture – that the Leeds Senate would never permit us to graduate. Did he believe that would be motivating?
Have you stayed in touch with friends you made at college?
Sadly, not very well, although I remain in touch with one fellow John’s man.
If you could give advice to yourself at the end of your course, what would you say?
Be prepared to adapt to change and enjoy it.
Career questions
What was your first role after completing your course and how did you get it?
My first role was as an Assistant Lecture – TES ad. There was an application and interview.
How? I am not really sure, although I believe that being a qualified teacher helped considerably! Most college lecturers at that time had no qualification to teach. It was not until 2001 that regulations on teaching qualifications for FE were introduced.
What did you enjoy most about your first role?
Its variety – students of varying ages who pursued a range of courses.
How did you begin a career in Further Education and what sort of roles did you have?
Clumsily! One early challenge was being landed with teaching psychology to students attending a course graded as post grad! I was told that there was no one else with any background – I considered the course in educational psychology a slender foundation. Delivering that course to adult learners from an occupational background about which I new nothing caused me to stumble from pedagogy to androgogy years before it became fashionable.
I steadily progressed from Assistant Lecturer to Senior Lecture. Roles included: lecturer, course tutor, managing cross college courses, cross college management of initial assessment, managing change in colleges. Surprisingly, not all lecturers welcome change!
During your career you completed various secondments. What was your favourite and why?
Managing the national project in accreditation of prior learning – really a Department of Employment showcase and change agent for N.V.Q.s. The project was well resourced and there was significant support from the department. I worked with a national bodies with the main emphasis on England and Wales, but with links to Scotland and Northern Ireland as well. I learned a great deal that served me very well afterwards. It was a pleasure with work with so many able and motivated people.
Your career included managing the delivery of training for teachers and trainers. What did a typical day look like in this role?
My days varied. Planning and managing programmes and the teams involved, with considerable attention to quality assurance. Delivering some sessions. Observing lessons/training sessions.
Did this role make you think about your own time studying and how you were taught?
I value my time as a student, but post compulsory education during late 80s and 90s was very different from my student experience.
Do you have any advice for anyone looking to begin a career in further or higher education?
Be nimble and see change as opportunity. In organisational/career terms be ruthless – I took time to learn that.
Reflections
Compared to what you studied and expected from your career, how far did it differ from what you expected?
Considerably!
- Leaners aged from 16 to 70
- A very different organisation context that evolved quite rapidly
- Different subjects
- Different qualification structure
I also did not expect to work at national level, as well as internationally.
How did your degree prepare you for the career?
It helped me through the first door. I had some appreciation of session planning. A background in geography, as well as some understanding of educational psychology.
Do you have any advice for recent graduates looking for their first ‘proper’ job?
Firstly, well before you graduate, pay attention to the development of your generic/transferable skills and maintain a summary of your progress in them. Many employers seek those skills. Don’t underestimate yourself and be prepared to cast your net fairly widely.
Since retiring, what have you been doing? Are you still working on projects or enjoying some well-earned time off?
I made a clear decision to make a clean break from work and resisted offers of paid projects – they offered wider experience, but I did not wish to linger beyond my sell by date. I have participated in the odd community project. Being a member of an allotment society provides enjoyable social interaction, as well as challenges that link to my geographical origins eg trying to adapt to challenging soil conditions. The mountains still call and I hope to continue enjoying them, their flora and fauna.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Enjoy life.
If you studied with Andrew and would like to reconnect with him, please email alumni@yorksj.ac.uk and we’d be happy to help!
