Bernard B.
About me
| Bernard B. | |
| History | |
| Taught Postgraduate | |
| Vanbrugh | |
| 1971 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Emeritus Professor of Educational Leadership and Management | |
| University of Leicester | |
| United Kingdom |
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A day in the life of a Emeritus Professor of Educational Leadership and Management in the United Kingdom
I'm dedicated to mentoring education professionals in schools and universities as they work to help students achieve their goals
My career goals when I graduated
To obtain higher degree as preliminary to becoming a history teacher
My career history
Early career teaching history in secondary schools and colleges; became head of a Cambridgeshire community comprehensive aged 33; 17 years later entered training, consultancy and higher education, teaching the history PGCE at Leicester and then leadership and management at the Centre for Educational Leadership and Management there. Completed an education PhD in 2003
What has helped my career to progress
Relentless drive and joy in working with people; and a love of talking and writing with colleagues and students. Also initial Cambridge degree and higher level qualifications were important. PhD proved a passport to work in the end.
Courses taken since graduation
PhD in Education at the University of Leicester; essential for teaching and researching in higher education. Many other short courses and a fellowship for three months in Cambridge but with little career relevance and usefulness
What surprised me about my career so far
I managed to get to the top of two careers (secondary head of a large school; professor at a leading School of Education); the first career happened easily and naturally, the second seemed a miracle but was probably achieved through my accumulated professional knowledge and willingness to work hard on academic research and writing.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
Still alive and still working! I'm completing an autobiography of my early life (1946 - 1968) about my education at a London comprehensive and the tensions the followed winning a Cambridge exhibition; and I'm researching and writing about social mobility, the latest educational hot topic - watch out for my next!
My advice to students considering work
Relatively easy to get a school based job, especially in London (unless the common funding formula is implemented) but lots of resilience needed to cope with expectations. Take every opportunity to lead activities with young people, and make sure you really know and understand the subjects you teach and the ways they are examined.
My advice about working in my industry
Education - a privilege to work with young people helping them achieve - be sure this is what you want to do and be prepared to give it your all. There is no job more important and useful, and the pay isn't that bad.
Contacting me
I should be delighted to assist any graduate who is concerned with beginning, sustaining and developing a career in schools and higher education (universities and colleges). The field is bigger than you think and there are myriad opportunities to understand and take advantage of.
What I do
I'm research and publishing active as Emeritus Professor of Educational Leadership and Management at the School of Education, University of Leicester; and am a school governor in Peterborough
Skills I use and how I developed them
I have developed communication skills over a 40 year career in schools and universities; and as a trainer, consultant and researcher.
What I like most
Helping other people succeed
What I like least
Spending time on externally imposed paperwork requirements
What surprised me most
Emeritus professor is a brief that is as open, free and empowering as any I've had
Next steps...
If you like the look of Bernard’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Bernard a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Bernard to be your mentor.