B Ed Music and Geography
Name
Peter Kemble
What course did you study?
Music and Geography for Teaching Certificate
Year of graduation
1967
Where are you from originally?
Born in Burslem, Staffs, but brought up in New Eltham, South East London
Why University of Cumbria, what attracted you?
Originally it was St Martins Teacher Training College and I enrolled in the very first year on the Bowerham Barracks site. I was attracted to the college’s location in Lancaster, close to some amazing physical geography!
Job title
Retired. Teacher, Head Teacher twice, LA Inspector for Cornwall, Educational Consultant (freelance)
Briefly describe your role and responsibilities
My role now is purely supportive of young people in Chepstow in their musical development by being part of a junior Swing band called Microjazz, a senior Swing band called Swingapation and the Chepstow Town Brass Band.
I play clarinet, alto saxophone and soprano saxophone in these bands and sit with junior members as they learn the ropes.
All these bands are under the auspices of the Chepstow Community Music Centre which is based in Wyedean Comprehensive School (where J K Rowling went to school!)
Briefly describe your career progression from graduation to where you are now
I taught for 2 years in Tonbridge, Kent, after leaving college. Then I was appointed to Johore Bahri Royal Naval School in Malaysia teaching children of RN personnel. Unfortunately, the naval base in Singapore closed so back to Uk to a Primary School in Sussex.
2 years there was followed by 3 years as Deputy Head of a. Special School in East Sussex with pupils with behaviour and other problems from East London. This was a valuable experience in testing my teaching skills.
Then of to Germany as Deputy Head of a British Army School in the lovely town of Soest, near Dortmund.
7 years later my first Headship was at a small school of 50 pupils on the edge of Dartmoor near Okehampton.
4 years later I was head of a large primary school in Biddeford, North Devon. Many social problems here but previous posts gave me some valuable experience to deal with them.
Then 7 years as an Inspector of Schools for Cornwall LA after which I went freelance and worked for about 10 years as an Educational Consultant, leading many Ofsted inspections.
What is the most satisfying aspect of your job?
The feeling that my contribution in the classroom and when running schools was making a positive contribution to pupils from many backgrounds and talents. Of course, I didn’t achieve as much as I would have liked with every single pupil but had some notable successes of which I was proud.
As an inspector and leader of Ofsted inspections satisfaction was achieved when school staff and governors felt they could talk about the support and/or development I had managed to provide.
What are your ambitions, now and in the future?
To continue to be involved with young people through music which is so important for their well-being, self-confidence and development of social skills.
Looking back, what advice would you give yourself when you just graduated?
Be absolutely clear about a career path. Plenty of research, discussion with experienced teachers and an awareness of the vast range of situations that schools are in throughout the country. Be brave about not accepting the first post you are offered if you feel the school is not for you.
What top tips would you give to new alumni who are wishing to pursue a similar career to you?
Embrace the wisdom, sense of humour and understanding of the world that many young people have - they are all wonderful individuals in their own way!
Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in the world - but be prepared to work hard and to expect ups and downs as your career progresses.
Do you have any support messages for the class of 2020, just embarking on their careers during the Covid-19 pandemic?
Don’t panic! Life in classrooms will be different from several months ago and will be different for a long time to come.
However, if you stick to the fact that you will be helping, supporting and developing children as you work, then whatever arrangements the school in which you teach sets up to meet current COVID-19 requirements will be the environment in which you can best use your skills to help children learn and grow. Good luck!