A) Rodney's Early Life

Researched and written by Jenny

He was born in 2 February 1943 in Bexleyheath, Kent, UK.

       Bexleyheath is the strategic town centre in the heart of Bexley Borough. It offers you the best of town and country, only 30 minutes on the train to central London and a few minutes drive to Kent, the Garden of England.

       Bexleyheath is a large, bustling town centre with a pedestrianised area in the centre of the town, bordered by the busy Broadway Shopping Centre and newer Broadway Square centre.

In Bexleyheath you will find everything you need - undercover shopping with all the High Street names you'd expect, a wealth of independent shops and businesses along a traditional High Street, a nine screen cinema, state of the art Bingo club, 28-lane bowling alley, restaurants from around the world and plenty of places to stop for refreshment both day and night.

       Bexleyheath is easily accessible from M25 & A2 (Black Prince Interchange), and is easy to get to by public transport with over 110 buses an hour passing through from southeast London and the Kent countryside. Four trains an hour link                    

       Bexleyheath and Barnehurst stations to central London. There are over 4000 car parking spaces with dedicated areas and car parks for disabled drivers.

       An average of 170,000 people a week visit the town, enjoying the comfort of one of the cleanest town centres in the capital and the security of knowing that our 24 hour CCTV system is watching everyone, in what is one of the safest London Boroughs.

      The Council's main offices, Magistrates Court and Metropolitan Police Divisional HQ are all within easy walking distance of the centre of Bexleyheath, marked by the new Morris Fountain on Broadway.

From 1954 to 1961 he studied at the Grammar School, Dartford, Kent.

      He graduated with 10 'O' levels (including French, German, Spanish, Latin and Classical Greek) and 3 'A' levels (French, German, Latin).

       The foundation of Dartford Grammar School dates from the year 1576, when William Vaughan, Edward Gwyn and William Death, local gentry, donated land and property near the Market House in Dartford High Street.

He knew Mick Jagger because they were in the same class at Dartford Grammar School for four years and for a while played in a "skiffle group" together.

       Mick Jagger (born July 26, 1943) is an English rock musician, actor, songwriter, record and film producer, and businessman. He is best known as the lead singer of the rock 'n' roll band The Rolling Stones

      Jagger was born in a middle-class family at Livingstone Hospital, East Hill, Dartford, Kent<>, England. His father, Joe, and his paternal grandfather were both teachers; his mother, Eva, an Australian immigrant to England, was an active member of the Conservative Party. He was the older of two sons and was raised to follow in his father's career path. Academically successful, Jagger attended Dartford Grammar School, before entering the London School of Economics on a scholarship. He studied for a degree in accounting and finance, attended for less than a year and did not graduate, dropping out to pursue a musical career.

      This decision was not approved by his mother and was reluctantly accepted by his father. Jagger has stated in interviews he could not blame his parents for their mistrust of his choice; even he doubted a life-long career in music was possible.

As a student, Jagger frequented a London club called "the Firehouse". At the age of 19, Jagger began performing as a singer. Like Keith Richards and other members of the Rolling Stones, Jagger had no formal musical training and did not know how to read music. He frequented clubs such as the famous Marquee Club or The Ealing Club, and admired the same type of blues musicians that Brian Jones and Keith Richards favoured. In fact, Elmore James was one of the band's early favourites, as well as anything from Chess Records in Chicago.

       After the band's acrimonious split with their second manager, Allen B. Klein, Jagger took control of their business affairs and has managed them ever since in collaboration with his friend and colleague, Prince Rupert von Löwenstein. Decades after the band's creation, The Rolling Stones continue to perform and to court controversy. The release of their 2005 album "A Bigger Bang" included the song "Sweet Neo Con" in which Jagger's lyrics openly attack the presidency of George W. Bush. In February 2006, they appeared during the Super Bowl broadcast, and Jagger was asked to omit words that had sexual connotations from two songs which would be heard by a vast family audience. He did not comply with this request, but his microphone was momentarily dipped. The Stones went on to make their first visit to Puerto Rico, playing to a sell-out audience of 20,000 at the new José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum. Tickets to the concert were being sold for up to $1,000, more than twice the top published price of $460. On April 8, 2006, the Stones performed in Shanghai, their first ever show in mainland China. Jagger has also signed on to appear regularly in a television sitcom based on a small group of inept thieves who want to rob him. The sitcom's working title was Let's Rob Mick Jagger, but it was later renamed to The Knights of Prosperity.

Poverty and rationing in Britain, in the1940s

Food Rationing
       Food rationing had started early in the war, in January 1940 and rationed goods were

frequently added to a growing list.  So considerable restrictions were already in hand by

May 1940.
Clothing, Cloth and Footwear Rationing
        Details of the rationing were announced in newspapers and women's magazines.  The detailed message was in simple language for the masses to understand without any misunderstanding.  If only the edicts of politicians and government were so simply stated today.  
It read:-
Rationing of Clothing, Cloth and Footwear
from June, 1941
Rationing has been introduced, not to deprive you of your real needs, but to make more

certain that you get your share of the country's goods - to get fair shares with everybody

else.
Limited Coupons to Spend
      This meant that women were forced to wear clothes that they had in their wardrobes before

the announcement, adding items only as essential. The coupons were also reduced as the

war progressed. Mid-war they fell to 48 a year and by 1945 clothing coupons were as low as

36 a year. The scheme continued to issue coupons until 1949, with all forms of rationing

ended in 1952.
Non-rationed Items
      In addition to the items listed there were goods that could be bought without coupons such

as small items for babies under 4 months old, boiler suits, workmen's overalls, hats and caps, sewing thread, mending wool, mending silk and boot and shoe laces. Coupons were not needed for second hand articles.

He can clearly remember rationing, especially the end of chocolate rationing, which led to huge queues at sweet shops.

The end of the British Empire

      In the years after 1945 there was a series of colonial wars. Burma was the first to become independent. India was next (1947) being split into four states: India, Pakistan (later itself split when Bangladesh left) and Sri Lanka.
      In Africa more independences occurred, with Sudan first (1954), at the insistence of Egypt which shared the sovereignty. The first Black African state was Ghana (1957), used as a model for the rest. After that all the west African states went, followed by East and Central Africa. Rhodesia, because of its settlers, was the most trouble, as the settlers refused to accept majority rule - much as the French settlers in Algeria behaved. But the settler state of Kenya followed, after a war of independence. The process finished with Hong Kong (1997). There are no plans for the remaining territories unless they demand independence.
      The event that showed the British Empire was at an end was probably the 1956 Suez War. Britain, France and Israel had conspired to invade Egypt to regain control of the Suez Canal. They were stopped by the United States (and Egyptian resistance), proving that only decisions by the Superpowers were important.

He grew up in the middle of this and - like most other British people - had to get used to the changed role of the U.K.

      You can find a lot of pictures of Bexleyheath, Dartford Grammar School, Mick Jagger and Britain's history in the picture space!!                          

B) Rodney's University Education

Researched  and written by Lily

From 1961 to 1965 he studied at Lincoln College, Oxford (plus courses in Paris).  He gained a B.A. (class II, with spoken distinction in German and French) and later an M.A.

Some background on

Lincoln College

Lincoln College is built around one of the best preserved quads (central green space) of all Oxford Colleges. The first buildings around Front Quad were constructed on the west range in about 1430. The hall and kitchen in the north range followed seven years later.

Look up as you enter the hall and you will see the Lincoln Imp, modeled after the famous stone carving in the Angel Choir of Lincoln Cathedral. The figure replaces the Devil of Lincoln College, a grotesque carving that literally "lost its head" in a storm. The older carving gave rise to a saying, "to look on one as the devil looks over Lincoln".

The Wesley Room in the south range at Lincoln is thought to be the room used by Methodist reformer John Wesley when he was a Fellow here. The room has been restored to include period furnishings and Wesleyan memorabilia.

Pass through Front Quad and you will enter Chapel Quad. Though the buildings appear similar in style to the 15th century construction around Front Quad, they are actually products of the 17th century.

The College Chapel is a delightful building, constructed 1629-1631 on the site of the college's bowling alley! Due partly to lack of funds over the years, Lincoln's chapel has remained much as it was built, with some of the finest painted glass windows in Oxford. The pulpit dates from about 1630, and it is portable, so that it could be moved into the centre of the chapel when it came time to preach the sermon.

The hall at Lincoln College is a treasure - the 15th century timber-beamed roof is a lovely example of medieval workmanship in wood. The floor is made of 16th century planks, and the walls were paneled in the early 18th century.

When in the hall, look for the portrait of Rector Tatham over the High Table. This illustrious gentleman was famous for once giving a sermon so long and boring that the only person able to last it out proved to be dead!

Oxford University

Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and lays claim to nine centuries of continuous existence. As an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research, Oxford attracts students and scholars from across the globe, with almost a quarter of our students from overseas. More than 130 nationalities are represented among a student population of over 18,000.

Oxford is a collegiate university, with 39 self-governing colleges related to the University in a type of federal system. There are also seven Permanent Private Halls, founded by different Christian denominations. Thirty colleges and all halls admit students for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Seven other colleges are for graduates only; one has Fellows only, and one specializes in part-time and continuing education.

Marburg an der Lahn, Germany

From 1963 to 1964 he started his early teaching career in Gymnasium Philippinum at Marburg/Lahn, and as a TEFL Assistant in Germany. This was part of his course at Oxford.

 His main job was teaching English at the  GYMNASIUM PHILIPPINUM – The German word  GYMNASIUM does NOT mean "gymnasium" in English, but (BE) "grammar school" (roughly junior+senior middle school).

Marburg is a very attractive little town.  He was an auditor at the University, which was then in old buildings in the centre of town.

Glasgow University

From 1965 to 1968 he studied at Glasgow University (with study at Universities of Bonn and Nancy).  He was awarded an M.Litt. for his thesis on Brecht and French literature.

Some facts about

Glasgow University

The University of Glasgow, founded in 1451, is the second oldest university in Scotland and the fourth oldest in Britain

The magnificent Main Building of the University, designed in Gothic style by Sir George Gilbert Scott, is one of the city's best known landmarks. The University has been on this site since 1870, when it moved from the city centre.

You can find a lot of beautiful pictures of Lincoln College, Oxford University, Glasgow University and the city of Bonn in the picture space! Please do have a look at them! 

C)1968-1974 Teaching in Berkeley and Munich

Researched and written by Kelly

1968-71: University of California, Berkeley: Rodney  Mantle  worked  there  as  a  Teaching Assistant in  the German Department

   The University of California: Background

       Brief History of the University

                        The roots of the University of California go back to the Gold Rush days of 1849, when the drafters of the State Constitution, a group of vigorous and farsighted people, required the legislature to "encourage by all suitable means the promotion of intellectual, scientific, moral and agricultural improvement" of the people of California. These early planners dreamed of a university which eventually, "if properly organized and conducted, would contribute even more than California's gold to the glory and happiness of advancing generations."

D) His first four years at the BBC

Researched and written by Phoenix

1. He worked with David Shotter, Anne Cuff and Gabi Englet on 24 radio programmes of app. 28 minutes each for Wegweiser. It was a follow-up course to Kontakte, and the second stage in a three-year cycle of German courses for adults. It was also suitable for anyone with a basic knowledge of German.  It was first transmitted on BBC Radios and Three and Four from 01.10.1975-09.03.1976, repeated on Radio Four from 04.10.1981-19.03.1982 (also broadcast by RTE Dublin and ABC Sydney).

2. He worked with Michael Mellinger and Gabi Englet in six programmes of app. 28 minutes each, for the German edition of Euromagazine, which was transmitted on BBC Radios Three and Four from 11.07.-18.08.1976

3. He worked with Dr. Heide-Rose Verderber in The Germans seen through British Eyes, app. 25 minutes, which was transmitted by WDR Cologne on 26.04.1977.

4. He worked with Ivan Howlett, BBC Radio Brighton in Brighton, die Königin der Seebäder, transmitted by NDR, Radio Bremen and Rundfunk der DDR in Summer 1979

5. He also worked with Iris Sprankling, Janet Burnham and Gabi Englet on 24 programmes of app. 28 mininutes each for Kein Problem, a Third Stage German Radio Course, which was first transmitted on BBC Radio Four from 30.09.1979-21.03.1980 and repeated on BBC Radio Four from 03.10.1982-18.03.1983) 

Two books he edited in this period:

a)       Wegweiser, which was written with Antony Peck, Frank Kershaw, Helga Howard and Frank Wagner.  Wegweiser teaches you to communicate more fully in situations, and to exchange simple information and opinions. You can see the cover of this book in his photos.

b)      Kein Problem. This series was based on materials recorded in the German-speaking countries and aimed to teach spoken German for practical communication. The Kein Problem book was written with Vera Utton, Ursula Runde, Christopher Candlin and Iris Sprankling, and was published in 1979.  It can be found on the BBC website.

Some background on BBC Radio:

BBC language teaching includes a lot of languages,such as French, German Spanish and so on. Each teaches the students a lot about the way study it, how to improve your language on speaking, listening, writing.  When he worked there it is not the same as it is now. Now it has a larger coverage and it can be reached everywhere in the world. For example you can search http://www.bbc.co.uk/learning/subjects/languages.shtml to study foreign languages and find information about BBC Radio. There are also some photos about BBC Radio now.  You can see them in his photos.

Background to his programmes:

To collect recordings for these courses, he made trips to Goettingen, Hamburg, Cologne (Koeln/Köln) and Munich (Muenchen/München) in Germany. You can see some photos about these cities in his photos, and then you will understand how difficult it was for him to collect this information.

Background information on the Institute of Linguists

The Chartered Institute of Linguists serves the interests of professional linguists throughout the world and acts as a respected language assessment and accredited awarding body.

Founded in 1910, the Institute now has around 6,500 Fellows, Members and Associate Members. It aims to:

• promote the learning and use of modern languages
• improve the status of all professional linguists
• establish and maintain high standards of work
• serve the interests of all linguists
• It acts as a forum for linguists in all areas of professional and academic life and its authoritative journal, The Linguist, contains articles of academic and practical interest.

  The Institute is also actively involved in language issues at both a national and an international level.

  The IoL's patron is HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO. Prince Michael also has his own website with more information about himself and his family: www.princemichael.org.uk

  The Institute of Linguists maintains this web site regularly for the benefit of members and non-members alike. If you would like to know more about the Institute of Linguists you can e-mail us at info@iol.org.uk

   

   

   

1977-1990

E) BBC International Relations

Researched and written by  Becky

Introduction:

In this section you will see some interesting things he did in the period from 1977-1990.

Firstly, he worked for the BBC in this period, maybe someone will be interested in its history.

Secondly, I will input what he did when he worked in the BBC's International Relations Department as a member of various teams working on very varied tasks including programme liaison with the then GDR and the other German-speaking countries, francophone Africa, Spain (and to some extent hispanophone America), the then USSR and China; extensive co-ordination work in German, French and Spanish and travel to German-, French- and Spanish-speaking and other countries; undertook a major IT project.

He worked for most of this time with and sometimes in the communist countries, particularly in Eastern Europe (above all the German Democratic Republic [East Germany], but also Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and the USSR during the Gorbachev years, as well as China and Angola.

     Thirdly, I want to share some photos of  Mr Mantle with you!

(PS: How do you distinguish one country from another one? People always choose their flags to do that. So you can find it is very useful. I also glad to share the beautiful photos of these countries where Mr Mantle worked (The German Democratic Republic, Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and the USSR)!  To find it is very easy, just click on the PICS on the Home page.)

The history of the BBC:

1970s

Documentary, Drama, Comedy
This was the 'golden age' of television. Income grew as more and more homes bought levision licences and, more significantly, more switched to colour. As a result the schedules were able to offer greater depth and variety. Documentary highlights included programmes such as The 'Ascent of Man'. 'The Family', a fly-on-the-wall series in 1974, could claim to be the first 'reality TV' programme.

I Claudius, Pennies from Heaven and Last of the Summer Wine reflect the variety of television drama. The BBC earned the description of 'The Theatre in the Living Room' when the televising of all of Shakespeare's plays began in 1978 with 'Romeo and Juliet'. This was a vintage period for outstanding new comedy such as 'Are You Being Served?' (1973), 'The Good Life' and 'Fawlty Towers' (1975).

He now regularly uses episodes from "Fawlty Towers" in his teaching. 

In 1972 the CEEFAX text service was introduced after engineers developed the technique of transmitting digital data within analogue signals. Subtitling of programmes on CEEFAX began in 1979.

Radio Competition
Radio had its work cut out with competition from commercial stations such as LBC and Capital. The BBC responded with a raft of new radio programmes, including 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' and 'The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy'. The first phone-in programmes had a mixed reception, but many listeners welcomed the opportunity to put questions directly to politicians and celebrities in live programmes such as Radio 4's 'It's Your Line'.

Broadcasting and Government
The BBC faced many challenges from the Government regarding programme output. The Annan Committee Report of 1977 criticised the BBC for 'loss of nerve' and 'organisational fog'. As a result of this report, the way was paved for the establishment of Channel 4 (1982).

1979 saw the BBC bring together all its commercial activities under BBC Enterprises Ltd. Now called BBC Worldwide, this commercial arm returns significant funds back to BBC programming through its sales of videos, books, audio and magazines.

1980s

Nation At War
This was a challenging decade for BBC correspondents who reported in depth on dramatic and often dangerous events from Northern Ireland, Tiananmen Square, the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

In Ethiopia, Michael Buerk alerted the world to a famine of Biblical proportions. It led the phenomenal Live Aid concert of 1985, which raised more than £60 million.

This was the decade of the Falklands War (1982), the miners' strike (1984), the wedding of the Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer (1981), the arrival of 'EastEnders' (February 1985) and 'Neighbours' (October 1986).

TV and Radio Highlights
Important new television programmes included 'Newsnight' (1980), 'Rough Justice', 'Timewatch' (1982), 'Crimewatch' (1984) and 'Watchdog' (1985). 'EastEnders', the BBC's response to Granada's 'Coronation Street', quickly became the most watched BBC programme on television. It still regularly attracts over 12 million viewers. Breakfast Television, a new venture for the BBC presented by Frank Bough and Selina Scott, began in 1983 and this was followed three years later by daytime television.

Television coverage of the House of Lords began with a six-month experiment in 1985, and four years later cameras were allowed in the House of Commons for an experimental period. In 1990 the Commons voted in favour of allowing the cameras to stay.

Radio highlights ranged from the dramatisation of Lord of the Rings to In the Psychiatrist's Chair.

More Technology
Home video recorders arrived in the Eighties, and gradually changed the way the nation regarded and used broadcasting. Other advances included satellite broadcasting. The BBC contemplated satellite, but judged the risks, and costs, to be too great.

Competition and Conflict
It was a decade of competitive pressure and political pressure on the BBC. Channel 4 went on air in 1982, more commercial radio stations opened, and satellite television services were launched.

And while the Thatcher government stopped short of privatising the BBC or introducing advertising, it pressed the organisation to challenge union power, and pursue greater efficiency. Director-General Alasdair Milne was fired, and his successor, Michael Checkland, responded by introducing a rudimentary internal market to drive efficiency. John Birt was hired from London Weekend Television to overhaul the current affairs department, deemed to be out of control.

As a result of this political pressure, many BBC staff lost their jobs, including him.

The 80s were littered with political rows, the most spectacular of which concerned a current affairs programme, 'Real Lives', in 1985. The Home Secretary, Leon Brittan, concerned asked the BBC governors to stop the broadcast of an edition about extremists in Northern Ireland. The Board, quite exceptionally, viewed the programme before the planned transmission and demanded that changes were made. Staff went on strike over a decision that brought the Corporation's tradition of political independence into question.

He was in Moscow on the day the first MacDonald's opened.

PS: I have found a picture taken on the day the first MacDonald's opened in the Pics document.  You can find it in the Home page.

During this period he was involved in coverage of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.

On April 26th,1986, the Chernobyl nuclear accident happened!

He was working for BBC World Service newsroom then and was involved in coverage of the accident.

(There are some photos about the accident in the PICS document on the HOME page,click the PICS under the image about Mr Mantle, you will be intested in it!!!)

The fuel elements ruptured and the resultant explosive force of steam lifted off the cover plate of the reactor, releasing fission products to the atmosphere. A second explosion threw out fragments of burning fuel and graphite from the core and allowed air to rush in, causing the graphite moderator to burst into flames.

There is some dispute among experts about the character of this second explosion. The graphite burned for nine days, causing the main release of radioactivity into the environment. A total of about 14 EBq (10¹⁸ Bq) of radioactivity was released, half of it being biologically-inert noble gases. See also appended sequence of events.

Some 5000 tonnes of boron, dolomite, sand, clay and lead were dropped on to the burning core by helicopter in an effort to extinguish the blaze and limit the release of radioactive particles.

PS: There is a 600-page report says that people in the area have suffered a paralysing fatalism due to myths and misperceptions about the threat of radiation, which has contributed to a culture of chronic dependency. Some "took on the role of invalids." Mental health coupled with smoking and alcohol abuse is a very much greater problem than radiation, but worst of all at the time was the underlying level of health and nutrition. Apart from the initial 116,000, relocations of people were very traumatic and did little to reduce radiation exposure, which was low anyway. Psycho-social effects among those affected by the accident are similar to those arising from other major disasters such as earthquakes, floods and fires.

Some of the major TV documentary series he worked on were: "In Search of the Trojan War", "The Triumph of the West", "Great Railway Journeys of the World" and "

A) Books

Kein Problem, BBC, 1979 - see Section D.

B) Articles

"Producing BBC Language Courses", in the Incorporated Linguist, London, Vol. 18, Issue 2, Spring 1979, pp. 47-51

"Producing BBC Language Courses", in the Incorporated Linguist, London, Vol. 18, Issue 2, Spring 1979, pp. 47-51

1) "Der Britische Bildungsfunk" and 2) "Fremdsprachenunterricht im BBC-Weiterbildungsfunk", both in Weiterbildung und Medien, Marl, Federal Republic of Germany, 1980, issues 3 & 4 respectively

Review of: Of the Dying, Of the Dead, Of the Living, Poetry and Songs by Bertolt Brecht, presented by Ekkehard Schall, at the Riverside Studios, London, 18.01.1981, in GDR Monitor, Dundee, Scotland, Winter 1980-1, No. 4, pp. 48-9

"Sally Frampton Tells You How to Learn English", in Anglo-American Spotlight, Munich, September 1982, p. 23

"For Men Only - Cricket and Tossing the Caber", in Anglo-American Spotlight, Munich, November 1982, p. 23

"Speaking with One Voice in 37 Languages to 120 Million People - the Role of the Linguist in the External Services of the BBC", in the Hong Kong Linguist, No. 4, Spring 1988, pp. 31-9 (revised version in the Linguist, London, Vol. 29, No. 6, 1990, pp. 188-9)

Regular series: On Location, in TV Producer, London: Sept. 1990 Hungary; Oct. 1990 Egypt; Nov. 1990 Brazil; Dec. 90-Feb. 91 USSR

C) Dictionary

Acknowledged contribution to Collins Spanish Dictionary, London & Glasgow, 1986

D) Internal BBC Publications

(Mr Mantle produced all these.)

Many hundreds of editions of Feedback briefing documents on broadcasting and programme-making throughout the world

Guide to BBC Overseas Offices, annually 1978-89

Foreign Correspondents and Broadcasting Representatives in the U.K., annually 1978-89

BBC Agreements with Foreign Broadcasters, annually 1978-89

Thanks again for your great patience reading this blog!

F) Teaching in Secondary Schools in England

Researched and written by Rainy

During the late 1980s the amount of language activity in Rodney's BBC work diminished and he decided to return to teaching.

During his thirteen years in English secondary schools he:

                  made extensive use of IT, including developing materials for and training teachers in the use of the interactive whiteboard;

         taught across the full secondary ability range, using a wide variety of textbooks, German to ages 11-18, French to ages 11-18 and Spanish to ages 11-13and in adult education;

          participated in and led successful attempts to raise GCSE performance;

          supported attempts to raise the status of Modern Languages and increase international links;

          led and accompanied school journeys; helped with receiving school groups from abroad; took part in four teacher exchanges and work experience in Germany;

          was a British Council Anglo-German Teacher Fellow (Berlin, October 2002).

He was also very active in the Association for Language Learning (ALL).

Rodney's Schools

1991: He taught German and French full-time at Beverley School (Royal Borough of Kingston, London - boys, 11-18)

The philosophy of Beverley School is based on a team approach to support the educational needs of students who have a developmental and /or physical disability. The chool was originally built in 1894.  The design was by George Temple-Poole, Architect in charge of Public works at the time.

The style is a typical school building of the day. The school was rebuilt in the 1950s and again in 1985 to create a space on one floor that was barrier free and allows for optimal independence and mobility for students.

1991-96:  He taught at Ellen Wilkinson School (London Borough of Ealing  - girls, 11-18).  He taught German, French, Spanish and Current Affairs full-time, as well as being IT co-ordinator for for foreign languages

The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls was formed in 1974 as a comprehensive school for girls. It was the result of an amalgamation of four schools: Ealing Girls' Grammar, Wood End, The Grange and St Ann's Secondary Modern.

It was named by the London Borough of Ealing after Miss Ellen Wilkinson. Ellen Wilkinson was the first female Minister for Education in the Post War Labour Government - she is remembered as the MP for Jarrow who led the Jarrow Marches to London to draw attention to the plight of the unemployed in the North East following the closure of the shipyard. She also introduced free school milk and raised the school leaving age to 15.

1996-97:  He taught German and French full-time at Rectory School.  The school is now named  Hampton Community College, in Richmond upon Thames.  It is a mixed school, for children 11-16.  He was Head of the Foreign Languages Department at KS4.  Later, he taught there part-time. 

 Hampton Community College is a community college committed to ensuring that all students receive a broad and balanced education, which both enables them to reach their educational potential and equips them to play a full and productive part in their own communities as future citizens driven values of respect, co-operation and hard work.

1997-98:  He taught German and French part-time at Howard of Effingham School (Surrey - mixed, 11-18).

The school is named after the Second Lord Howard of Effingham who, as Lord High Admiral, commanded the fleet which defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588. The school badge is a representation of his flag ship, the first 'Ark Royal'.

The Howard's approach is traditional in many ways, offering a proven quality education with a vision for the future providing opportunities for pupils of all abilities within the 11-18 age range to achieve high standards within a caring atmosphere that enables them to develop socially no less than academically. It is particularly concerned that boys and girls develop self esteem, confidence and consideration for others through the process of their secondary education.

In 1998 (May-July) he taught part-time at Westminster College, London 

      The history of Westminster College as a distinct organisation back to September 1903, when the Paddington Technical Institute opened for business at its Saltram Crescent premises. It was the first of its kind in London.

Sidney Webb, Fabian and Socialist, was Chair of the Technical Education Board of London County Council, which opened the Paddington Technical Institute in September 1903, with Dr Ryan as Principal. It taught Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Building, Domestic Economy, and Dressmaking. In addition, non-vocational education was also on offer to boys and girls.
The onset of World War in 1914 disrupted the College, but also acted as a catalyst for action on the need to widen the opportunity for post-school education. Later, during the
'thirties there were nearly a thousand students (many attending evening courses), three Heads of Department, twenty full-time teachers and twenty-seven part-timers. That it was gaining a good reputation as a provider of education was attested to by the keen competition for scholarships - in March 1938 there were 74 applicants for the 30 available.
Over the years the College has occupied a number of buildings, particularly in the seventies, and each with a slightly different history.

      There he taught Spanish.

      1998-1999: He taught French and German full-time at St. Paul's Girls' School, Hammersmith, London (girls, 11-18) .

       St Paul's Girls' School is an independent secondary day school for girls from 11-18 years of age. There are approximately 690 pupils with 200 in the Senior School (Sixth Form). Entry at 11+ is by competitive examination held in January. About 20 girls are also admitted to the Senior School each year following an entrance examination held in November. The school has no uniform, other than for PE. It is generally agreed to be the best school in England.

        The origins of St Paul's Girls' School lie in the sixteenth century with John Colet's foundation of a school 'for the children of all nations and countries'. The impetus towards educating women at the end of the nineteenth century persuaded the Mercers' Company, guardians of the Colet Estate, to use part of that endowment to establish a new day school for girls which opened in 1904. Today's Paulinas number more than six hundred and fifty and the original school, so beautifully built to Gerald Horsley's design, has grown to accommodate an expanded curriculum.

          From the outset, the school established a tradition of liberal education, providing individuals with wide ranging opportunities to develop personal excellence. We continue to place great importance on the development of each girl intellectually, morally and spiritually. Freedom for students to explore ideas for themselves, whilst learning academic discipline, encourages independent minds which are informed and clear-thinking. Creativity and individual enthusiasm are valued here, as are tolerance and co-operation.

          This is a stimulating atmosphere in which to learn. Corridors and classrooms are full of lively debate. Girls learn to work together in a community based on mutual respect and a desire to engage with the world beyond the school gates. Schoolgirls mature into confident students, aware of their own strengths and interests, able to take responsibility for themselves and others.

1999-2000: He taught French, German and Spanish at St. Mark's Catholic School  (London Borough of Hounslow - mixed, 11-18) .  At first he was a part-time, then a full-time teacher.

       The St. Mark's School community is founded on the Christian values of love, justice and peace expressed in the gospels. These values underpin everything that we do within the School. View each person as special and unique recognizing and responding to their gifts, their needs and their aspirations. Seek to show love and care for all individuals, celebrating achievement and providing support when difficulties are experienced.

       St. Mark's enjoys an outstanding reputation for academic achievement based on a consistent record of excellent examination results. 86% of Year 11 pupils achieved 5+ A* to C grades in Summer 2006 in addition to excellent A level and Key Stage 3 results. The highly professional staff are dedicated to ensuring that every pupil fulfils their full potential. Pupils of all abilities are provided with appropriate work which challenges and extends them.

       St. Mark's is a Technology College and this has helped the School to enhance its facilities, particularly for Science and Technology, and to develop dynamic and innovative schemes of work. The School continues to offer a broad and balanced curriculum designed to meet the opportunities and challenges of adult life in the 21st century.

        2000-2003:  He taught French, German and Spanish full-time

at Guildford High School (girls, 11-18).  He was also IT co-ordinator

for the Foreign Languages Deaprtment (training staff on the

Interactive Whiteboard and developing teaching materials).

Guildford High School is founded in 1888, it is one of eight independent schools governed by the Church Schools Company Ltd.

Urban, single-site, with spacious grounds and pleasant buildings (all

purpose-built at different times) and very accessible by public

transport. Numerous recent additions make it a well-equipped

establishment. The junior school is housed in itsown building on the

same site. There is a large library, modern labs, two art studios, a

fine design and technology centre, and an IT centre and gym. As a

Church of England school, there is some emphasis on religious

education and attendance at worship is compulsory. A large staff

ensures a very goodstaff:pupil ratio. Academic standards are high

and examination results are excellent. Very strong in music; drama

is also very well supported. There is good representation in sport

and games at district, county and national levels, particularly in

lacrosse. A good range of clubs and societies and the Duke of

Edinburgh's Award Scheme is popular. Plentiful use is made of the

cultural resources of Guildford.  It is one of the best 20 schools in

England.