Frank C.
About me
| Frank C. | |
| Medieval Studies | |
| Mediaeval Studies | |
| Taught Postgraduate | |
| Alcuin | |
| 1977 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Education: Senior Management -Secondary | |
| LEA / Welsh Govt | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Education | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 1977 |
Like this profile?
Add this profile to your favourites so you can return to it later from your account.
A day in the life of a Education: Senior Management -Secondary in the United Kingdom
When I started teaching in 1978, there was no expectation that you would move from school to any other kind of work.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
Local Education Authority / Welsh Govt [ Retired]
What do you do?
I was a secondary teacher for 30 years including ten as a Curriculum Deputy Head
I was employed for 5 years in a local authority
I was seconded to the Welsh Govt for 5 years to manage a regenration programme with specific responsibility for education and training
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
My aim was always to teach- it ran in the family.
I enjoyed my time in school and the demands of curriculum planning for a school of 1100 pupils
I was seconded initially to the LEA to plan post 16 reorganisation.
In 2008 the Ebbw Vale Steelworks closed and I was seconded to the Welsh Govt for 5 years planning the education and training needs for an economy badly hit by unemployment
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
When I started teaching in 1978, there was no expectation that you would move from school to any other kind of work.
The last 10 years of my career were spent in local authorities and Welsh Govt experiencing a range of subjects completely removed from the world of an English.
Anyone entering the world of work now will understand how rapidly the world has changed and will continue to change
Describe your most memorable day at work
I led a coalition of 5 local authorities in shaping a bid for £20 million of European funding to support the education of children at risk of becoming NEET.
The Minister from Welsh Govt launched the programme and identified the significance of supporting this kind of work. The planning took one year, the programme lasted for three years but the launch captured the totality of our collaboration
Are there any challenges associated with your job?
Daily- In teaching no two days are the same- that is its appeal
In management, the challenge is often the unexpected, the issue that emerges from nowhere and overtakes all the meticulous planning.
What’s your work environment and culture like?
Classroom for 15 years- Office for 15-20 years. Always supportive staff
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
Heavily involved in drama while at York. All teachers need to be able to perform and gauge their audience
I learnt to be meticulous in preparation and planning and these came to be important when developing policy positions even thirty years later
What would you like to do next with your career?
I am retired but am active in a variety of spheres. I never learnt to play music so in my early sixties I took up the clarinet and enjoy an hour of practice daily.
It is good to keep the brain fresh.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
Being flexible is evidently a necessity. I entered the job market where you had a job for life. That model has gone and was going as I approached retirement.
A capacity to see the inter-relatedness of the skills/competences and attitudes you bring to a task is another necessary part of the workforce. An ability to apply a skill across a variety of different areas - adapting and refining it will be most useful.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
I changed direction in my career at a couple of junctures
Next steps...
If you like the look of Frank’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Frank a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Frank to be your mentor.