Daniel is a History Lecturer at EEG (module lead for History on the English and History degree and Course Director for the Access to HE Humanities and Social Science), alongside being the coordinator of the evening Edmund’s Open Lectures and the historian for the WSC/ EEG’s centenary. He has long memories of the WSC – being part of a college dynasty – and started working here 19 years ago. Although, he originally intended on being here for only a few weeks.
What made you join Eastern Education Group?
I arrived for 2-3 weeks of work experience – it got out of hand, and I am still here 19 years later.
I started at WSC in September 2006 in the Humanities and Health Faculty, working in Faculty Administration Office (with Barbara Unwin and Sharon Bliss) on the top floor of Gibraltar House. I had just finished my MA in History and wanted to do some general work experience before I made some career decisions and Rob King (Head of Faculty for Humanities and Health) kindly agreed. Earlier that year, the College had achieved Outstanding in its Ofsted and also became a Beacon College shortly after I arrived. I recall that I was asked not to attend the beacon announcement, as I was only a temporary staff member. My work experience evolved into an hourly paid contract, and I had roles including enrolment clerk, faculty admin assistant, data input, and Teaching and Learning Assistant (TLA). For data input, amongst over things, I was logging VARK learning style results, which shows how long ago that was!
When I became a full-time and permanent TLA in 2007, I was based in the Gibraltar House computer room and worked with the wonderful Paul Drury and Maureen Ridden. Both were passionate about their jobs, and it was a pleasure to work with them. At the time, TLAs were used to provide learning support to groups and individuals. I also taught Key Skills and the pilot of Functional Skills at the College. I fondly recall working with Public Service students, Sports Science students and Sue Reeve’s Vocational Studies L1 students – they were great fun. When I arrived, Leonardo House was still being built, and for some reason the lift shaft was constructed before any other building work was done. It stood alone for what seemed like ages!
I then left the role to become a Personal Support Tutor in 2011 (they are now called PPTs), that were being rolled out across the College. Over the years, I worked as a PST across many departments of the College: Performing Arts, Music, Media, Science, Public Services, Business, Travel and Tourism (apologies if I missed anyone out!). Alongside this, I continued to teach the London Institute of Banking and Finance qualifications. Pleasingly, the students achieved some amazing results. My last department as a PST was Performing and Production Arts, Music and Media, and the students and staff were exceptional individuals.
Although I loved my job, I felt it was time for a change. I completed my two-year PGCE, and I became a lecturer in Business in January 2020. Shortly afterward, I became a Course Director for Business L3 and now, since 2022, the Course Director of the Access to HE Humanities and Social Science course, and module lead for the History units on the History and English degree. Last year, I additionally had the pleasure of working at One Sixth Form College, alongside Anthony Dee and Jenny Moore.
I have always enjoyed teaching and have an enduring love for history, so it was the perfect fit for me.
Do you have any special memories from your time with us?
Well, my memories of the College pre-date my starting a job here. As a young child, I used to collect my Beano Annual Christmas present in a big hall here (I can’t remember if Santa was there though). I now realise it was the Harvey Frost Hall, and later I would end up working on the same location when I become a Business Lecturer. Years later at secondary school, when my classes finished, I often used to wait in the original Gib House staff room (since demolished) for my mother to finish teaching. The whole building was a portacabin, and the walls used to wobble when you walked down the corridor.
The first ever group I Course Directed has a special place in my memory. I have Course Directed many groups since and many of them have been amazing. However, my first year in 2020 – when we had to weather the chaotic and stressful Covid period and the horrors of new online teaching – was the most special. It was a great (Business L3) group, and I am proud of what they individually have gone onto do. Another memory of that time was when Erica Dupuy and I wrote and hosted the College’s staff quiz online.
Some achievements I am proud of:
- Completing my PGCE through the College/UEA over 2 years, while working full-time as a PST and teaching on top. It was a challenge doing this as an evening class after work, and also, for some reason, I was running a football team (Team Bury FC) as its secretary on the weekends! I don’t know how I found the time!
- It has been a pleasure to help restart the wonderful Edmund’s Open Lectures after their 3 year break due to Covid. It has grown rapidly over the three years I have been working on it with Robin Herne and Lisa Hunt.
- When I was based in the Media department, I appeared as an actor in three films, one of which was Maximus. I was on screen for 3 seconds as the “second security guard” and it was filmed the day after the first lockdown was lifted. However, it did result in me having my own IMDB credit!
- Lastly, I have been keen for the College and EEG to mark its centenary. It has been very rewarding to help it do so ,and talking to so many staff past and present about what we have achieved.
Any trips or events you have special memories of?
Two of the best trips I have ever organised (alongside Mark Wyatt) were to the Normandy Battlefields (2011) and the WWI Battlefields of Belgium and France (2010) for Public Service students. These trips are fondly remembered by ex-students and staff, even though I controversially added the Bayeux Tapestry to the trip itinerary. I also have fond memories of a college trip to Italy and two Lympstone Commando trips.
In 2011, I led the College’s first participation on the Lessons from Auschwitz programme, which involved two of our students listening to a lecture by Kitty Hart-Moxon (a Holocaust survivor) and visiting the camp. It was a remarkable experience for the students involved.
Are there any family members who have connections to EEG?
My mother was Head of English and worked for the College for nearly 25 years. Therefore, I am a part of a WSC dynasty. When she retired, in her leaving speech she kindly said, gesturing to me, that she was living the College the best part of her.
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate our 100 years of history?
The EEG’s history is a long and interesting one that should be remembered. It has always been a forward-looking organisation. However, for significant anniversaries, it is worth pausing to remember and preserve its amazing story and the story of the people who worked and studied here.
Lastly, do you have any advice for future students and staff at EEG?
You are coming to a place that has been reshaping and transforming people’s lives since 1925. Follow in the footsteps and ethos of our inspiring founders, Norman Watterson and Harvey Frost.
When our first Principal retired, he gave this advice in his leaving speech; it is as true today as it was back in 1958:
“Always hitch your wagon to a worthwhile star, and remember, there is plenty of room at the top for good men and women; but never forget that the higher you get, the greater your responsibility, and the more important it is to display an example of which you can always be proud.”
