You joined the Mathematics department at St Albans School in 1981. What attracted you to the School?
My first teaching post was at Latymer Upper School in Hammersmith. After three years, I was seeking a promoted post, both for professional advancement and to assist with paying a mortgage incurring 15% interest! I had two offers to consider and sought advice from the Headmaster of Latymer. 
His response was unequivocal: he had already spoken to Frank Kilvington and my experience in teaching Applied Maths would further strengthen the department at St Albans. It was also relevant that both schools were achieving outstanding results at A level and in university entrance examinations in Mathematics (and in other subjects).

Beyond academic reputation, were there any other features of St Albans that attracted you?
It was important for me that both Latymer and St Albans had participated in the ‘direct grant grammar school’ scheme, initiated by the Government in 1945 [which finished in 1976]. These schools provided some fully supported places (financed by the LEA) based upon performance in a competitive entrance exam. I was fortunate to benefit from this scheme at my own school from 1966 - 1973. 
These schools had a reputation for not only high-quality academic provision, but also for opportunities in co-curricular activities, offering a wide range of sports, music, theatrical and outdoor activities. I had experienced (and enjoyed) participation in all of these and offered, at interview, a continued involvement at St Albans. 

What are your interests, and how were you able to pursue them whilst teaching? 
Initially, I coached rugby and supervised expeditions for the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE). 
At Caterham School, I had enjoyed rugby, playing full-back or wing (JPR Williams, as TV role model) and track athletics, competing in the sprints and relays. 
One of my limitations as a coach was a scant understanding of the scrum: my strengths were tackling, security under the high ball and spiral touch-kicking; I knew almost nothing about the art of scrummaging. After the inaugural Rugby World Cup of 1987, one of the New Zealand coaches had produced a book Total Rugby in which their scrum techniques were explained (except those of tactical disruption, to put it politely). With the mechanics of the scrum explained and practised, St Albans U16 A team showed significant improvement.
However, it was an introduction to rock-climbing that had me hooked. Following a course run in Glencoe, I had progressed to leading multi-pitch routes in North Wales and Scotland. With support for training and assessment from St Albans, I qualified for the Mountain Leader Award. Not only did this assist with DofE, in that we used new areas in the UK and Europe for the Gold Level assessments but, along with an enthusiastic colleague, the Climbing Club was founded. Following additional training in rock-climbing instruction and winter/ alpine mountaineering, we offered St Albans Sixth Form students summer rock-climbing routes in North Wales, winter routes in Glencoe and ‘via ferrata’ paths in the Italian Dolomites. This continued for approximately 15 years.

You are also known for your love of music – how did this feature in your time at St Albans School?
Following an operation, I was advised not to run, and so I reduced my sport commitment with the result that I had some time to spare! I had directed a string quartet in the music department and was asked, on a ‘temporary’ basis and following the departure of a peripatetic teacher, whether I would direct the String Orchestra. This led to many years of directing performances of both ensembles at school concerts and on many music tours to Europe and the USA. I owe huge thanks to Messrs McCord, Jones and the late Mick Stout for their encouragement and shared expertise.

From 1985-2015 you were Head of Middle School (HOMS). How did you balance this additional responsibility with teaching Mathematics?
My motivation to be involved with pastoral support of pupils, both as a Form Tutor and subsequently as HOMS, stems from my seven-year experience of boarding school education. In my final year at school, I was appointed Head of House (HOH) and given oversight of the day-to-day running of all aspects of boarding school life for pupils in Years 9 - 13. At that time, the Housemasters delegated considerable responsibility and held the HOH accountable for the smooth running of the House. 
The role of HOMS, leading a team of Form Tutors, requires a collaborative effort. The issues presented in a day school are little different from those in the boarding environment. Listening to pupils, parents and teaching staff in order to provide guidance and fair implementation of the School’s disciplinary procedures are conducted within a framework of confidentiality and safeguarding. The role is both demanding and rewarding. 
In some respects, I found this role quite isolating. I missed the immediacy of contact with colleagues in the Maths department. On the other hand, I had a much closer involvement with the Tutors.

Finally, how has St Albans School evolved over the last 40 years?
Since my arrival in 1981, the School has vastly improved its facilities: both on site, at the Woollam Playing Fields and at Pen Arthur. In 1981 the internet did not exist. Continuously updated IT facilities - with technical support - respond to advances in information and administrative technologies and the delivery of teaching resources.
I have worked under the guidance of four Headmasters, most recently, Jonathan Gillespie. When Jonathan began his tenure as Headmaster, I was approaching retirement age. After many years, combining Head of Middle School and Mathematics teaching roles, I was now ready to reduce my working hours. 
Jonathan agreed to a three-day-week contract and, latterly, to supply teaching and volunteering roles. The disruption of the pandemic curtailed my work in the Mathematics department and local JMI schools as a ‘partnership’ activity but, thankfully, this has passed. Perhaps my granddaughter will follow her father’s footsteps by attending St Albans School (2038 - 2040)?