I went to University in York to study Design and Technology with Education (BeD). This gave me the opportunity to have placements in both primary and secondary schools all the way through my higher education. I then went to Nottingham Trent to complete my PGCE teacher qualification with Technology/Engineering. My first teaching job was at St John’s in Bishop Auckland which is close to the UTC.
Before joining the UTC in January 2022 I had spent 17 years teaching at The King’s Academy school in Middlesbrough. 11 years of my service there was as Head of Engineering. In this role I was able to build a curriculum which was designed to engage and stimulate students so that they could share my passion for engineering. I want students to develop engineering skills and technical knowledge to be successful in their studies and beyond.
Along with my passion for Engineering I have also strived to develop my understanding of teaching and learning. I have been externally assessed and awarded Advanced Skills Teacher status. I am also a Specialist Leader of Education (SLE) which means that I can deliver teacher training and be deployed to help build curriculums across a range of subjects in other schools. I also work for an exam board to moderate Engineering coursework and mark examinations.
The UTC Students Leaver Profile shares my belief that school should prepare students for the world of work. I get a huge amount of satisfaction when students choose engineering for their next steps. This includes further study at colleges and universities or into working through apprenticeships and careers in engineering. Learning at the UTC provides the technical skills and knowledge essential to be ready to work. I also find the UTCs core skills just as important. Good employees need to be able to communicate and collaborate with others, organise themselves, persevere with challenging tasks, reflect on their performance and show respect to themselves and the people around them. It is these attributes just as much as qualifications which make excellent employees for the industry.
I live in Middlesbrough with my wife and two young children. I enjoy football, running, gardening and DIY. On a weekend I am a manager for my son’s under 11s Football team. This is a new challenge for me and I certainly have to use the UTCs core skills to help me with my role. Especially Perseverance!
