Open Writing

A talk I gave to a young wives’ group in Leicester in 1968 about the forthcoming decimalisation of the currency triggered off an interest in taking up a teaching career. One aspect which attracted me was the ability to change employers whilst still remaining in the same profession. What had always grated on me was the inability to move easily between banks. They were all massive organisations. One pursued a career within the firm rather than within the profession. I was attracted to teaching because it would enable me to choose my employer from amongst many. They would be located in all corners of the United Kingdom and, importantly for me, overseas as well.

It was with joy in my heart that I drove my van down to Wolverhampton Technical Teachers’ Training College that September morning in 1969. The campus was situated on the western edge of town where the urban industrial belt of the West Midlands conurbation gave way to the greenery of Shropshire.

As a residential student I was provided with a single bedroom and a desk. The policy was to mix students. My immediate neighbours had an agricultural background, and the other was an ex-manager from a manufacturing company. The course format was a morning session allocated to the theory and practice of education and learning. In the afternoons specialist teaching areas were addressed. In my case this was accounting, economics, business law and general commercial knowledge.

Wednesday afternoon was set aside for sport. I went cycling with a group of fellow students. As Bridgnorth was only twenty kilometres away I was able to re-visit the scene of my square-bashing days of 1956.

The first five weeks of the course focused on getting us ready for our first teaching practice in a college. This was pretty intensive and was pursued as a series of mini-lessons given in front of tutors and fellow students. Performances were evaluated. By this method I gradually improved my delivery.

I was sent to Charles Keene College of Further Education in Leicester for four weeks. It was policy to locate student teachers within travelling distance of their homes.

Owing to the high interest being charged by the Midland Bank on my house loan, I had to advertise for a lodger in order to meet normal household expenditure. Howard Smith, a first year history teacher, became our resident lodger until July 1970.

It was a busy time for both Mary and myself. A five-year-old girl just starting school; a six-month-old boy and a lodger who required breakfast and evening meal. At least he departed after breakfast on Friday and did not return until late Sunday night.

During teaching practice I was also living at home. When in residence I left early Monday morning, returning Friday afternoon. A trainee teacher and a first year teacher both under the same roof can impose a heavy burden on anyone obliged to live in the same house.

My time at Charles Keene College allowed me to observe a number of experienced lecturers in action. Most of them were very supportive. Towards the end of my time I gave a few lessons to classes under the observation of individual lecturers. My performances were evaluated at the end of each lesson, and hopefully my performances were enhanced.

I had one visit from a training college tutor. He walked into the room unannounced and sat down at the back of the room. I was assessed on my performance. A discussion followed about my strengths but, more importantly, my weaknesses. The second period of teaching practice was for seven weeks and attracted more unannounced observations.

I returned to Wolverhampton to complete the final phase of the course and the two three-hour written examinations. By the end of the course I was feeling reasonably confident about my ability to face a class full of young adults.

Most of the vacant posts for teaching are for September appointments; they are advertised during April and May. I did not pay too much attention to UK availability, my priority being a post in Africa. Greater control over my destiny was the primary reason for applying to train for teaching, together with my long held ambition to travel the world.

One advertisement in the Times Educational Supplement caught my eye: 'Malawi Polytechnic. Required: Lecturer in the legal aspects of business.’

I applied and was called for interview at the Ministry of Overseas Development in London. This was conducted by the principal of the Polytechnic and a senior official at the Ministry. I was offered the job with a request to commence as soon as possible.