http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...ol-tutor-teaching-at-74-100252-26838254/In tonights Echo
Age no barrier for Wirral Grammar School tutor teaching at 74
Jul 13 2010 by Ben Turner, Liverpool Echo
A MERSEYSIDE school has described a teacher as “a national treasure” after chalking up 50 years service at the age of 74.
But despite being among the oldest teachers in the land, self-confessed “disciplinarian” Gordon Youd has no desire to walk away from the job he loves at Wirral Grammar School for Boys in Bebington.
Official General Teaching Council statistics show Mr Youd is a rare breed with only 1% of teachers in 2009 over the age of 65.
In the summer 2000 Mr Youd, who taught geography and geology and had been head of department, retired from the school he also attended as a boy.
But just months after his retirement he returned in the spring term of 2001 initially to fill a part time vacancy but then taking on a full time role in charge of geography until 2004.
He then spent a year as head of geography at Calday Grange Grammar School before returning to Wirral Grammar School for Boys in 2005 where he has been master-in-charge of geology ever since.
But proving you never lose it, Mr Youd, continues to help pupils thrive with all geology students in his care getting a 100% C or above pass rate at GCSE and A-level.
And instead of shying away from the technological advancements in the classroom, Mr Youd said he is equally at home with digital microscopes and PowerPoint presentations as he is with field trips studying rock in the southern uplands of Scotland.
Mr Youd, who due to pension legislation can only work three days a week, said: “I have a supportive headteacher and what he had said is as long as you like it and are still competent then we want you here.
“I’m 75 in November but I don’t feel any different then when I was 55. If it became a chore then I may pack it up but at the moment I don’t feel it is time. One thing that keeps me going is that I work in a super school with superb staff and students.”
“You just have to keep up to date. When I started you lectured rather than taught, a pen and paper approach.
“Now you have use of professional computers, overhead projectors and I use a lot of PowerPoint.
“I love things like digital microscopes as I am bit of a gadget freak and something which keeps me relatively young.”
On his teaching style, he added: “It would be fair to say I am a disciplinarian, firm but fair hits it right on the nail.
“Although I’m a popular kind of guy I work on the basic rule that if someone commits an offence, if they do it again they will be punished.”
Headteacher David Hazeldine said: “He is a dynamic teacher, who has retained a passion for his subject and who enthuses his pupils year after year.”
And deputy headteacher, Peter Earnshaw added: “He is kind of the equivalent to a national treasure.”
Jeez the guy is indestructable ...he was my form teacher in 1979 and , in fact, mad as a box of frogs.
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