'Student achievement is what the job's about'

Head of design technology David Rudland is leaving RGS after 21 years. He tells us why he left engineering for teaching and what brought him to RGS

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: I grew up in Blackburn, Lancashire.

Q: What made you enter teaching?

A: I worked as an engineer prior to coming into teaching. I retrained after a few years as I didn’t see myself being an engineer for ever.

Q: What did you do before you came to RGS – and why RGS?

A: I worked at Clitheroe Royal Grammar School for 12 years, but wanted to get my own children into better schools than were available and wanted to be a head of department, hence RGS, which I started two days after my youngest daughter was born. I commuted from Blackburn for a year. RGS becoming a specialist engineering school was a good time for me and the department.

Q: What do you plan to do next?

A: Retire, although I’ll be doing other things to supplement my income. I intend to travel, walk, bike ride, run, swim and drive a lot.

Q: What has been the best part of your job?

A: Closing the door of the classroom and teaching.

Q: And the worst bit?

A: All the other stuff associated with teaching other than what goes on in the classroom.

Q: What will you miss most about RGS?

A: The staff.

Q: Reflecting on your time at RGS, what do you feel most proud of?

A: What I have achieved with some students – it’s what the job is about.

Q: What are the main changes you have seen during your time at RGS?

A: Teaching has become increasingly measured by what happens outside the classroom rather than what happens inside it.

Q: What are your main interests outside RGS?

A: Multi sport events, and cars in all their forms (vans at the moment).