Name: Bryan McNab-Jones Age: 45 School: Randwick C of E primary in Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Career to date?
I graduated from Aberystwyth in 1978 with a geography degree and worked in the timber trade, becoming manager of a timber merchants.
Eventually I set up my own company importing finished timber goods and selling them to garden centres. In 1994 I finished the business and stayed at home to look after our three children. We live on a farm which my wife Liz runs and my work was easier to wind down. I did a PGCE when our twins were four and started their reception year. In my NQT year I did supply teaching and last September I started full time at Randwick school.
Why did you become a teacher?
I’d helped at our eldest daughter’s school and I really enjoyed it. I liked working with and being around other teachers and pupils. My age didn’t really worry me, apart from whether my brain would still function. But once I’d done my PGCE I became more aware that I was in a profession where everyone was quite young. I still work on the farm at weekends and if there’s a cow to calve I’ll calve it. Other people think I’m mad, but it’s really quite a nice release.
What’s the best thing that’s happened to you so far?
The relationships with other teachers. It’s the first time I’ve had proper professional relationships at work and I really enjoy that. It’s a very supportive atmosphere.
And the worst?
I worked at one school that had a lovely new computer suite.You were supposed to deactivate the alarm system before going in there, but no one had told me that. I was teaching in there for 15 minutes before the police came. The kids loved it.
What do you like most about teaching?
You never get the same canvas. Every class is different, every pupil is different.
What is your dream job?
I think teaching in Gloucestershire is pretty good.It would be nice to think I could go higher, but at the moment my ambition is to become a better teacher.
Top tip?
Do supply teaching in your first year. It just gives you that much more breathing space. I got to see lot of other schools and staff rooms.
And don’t let age put you off. If you’ve had another career it can help because you have other experiences to draw on.
Interview by Martin Whittaker
