Life After DPIR - Mr Robert Wilson
Alumni 1963, The Queen's College
Summary
Robert Wilson went up to Queen’s in 1960 to read PPE. Having studied English, French and History at A level, he fancied tackling something new at university, following a year of teaching full-time in a secondary modern school in his home town of Derby; an experience which meant he already knew he would eventually look for a teaching career. In 1960, Queen’s welcomed eight PPE undergraduates, with Peter Hacker among them to contribute some brilliance in philosophy tutorials in particular.
Queens was a hive of broad-based activity, with sport and music well to the fore, which suited Robert well. There was also an implicit work ethic; most PPE tutors conveyed a quiet expectation that (in those days of Firsts, Seconds, Thirds, and Fourths) a typical good college man would pick up at least a Second in addition to contributing to college life in general.
Having enjoyed Oxford so much for 3 years, Robert stayed on to take the Dip. Ed. course at the Institute of Education, which did not, however, offer Economics among the teacher training possibilities. Nevertheless, it accepted him; and Jeffrey Archer! Robert trained to teach English and Maths on the basis of his A levels and a PPE degree amazing what one could get away with in those days!
Roberts first teaching post was as a teacher of general subjects, aka general dogsbody, in a comprehensive school in Guildford, his having already excitedly accepted a post as a paid singer in the busy, ambitious choir of Guildford Cathedral the kind of ambition-fulfilling activity to take on when young, single, carefree and unfazed by comparative penury.
Teaching gradually took precedence over singing, and eventually Robert specialised in teaching Economics. In 1971, he and his wife moved to Aberdeen, where Robert spent 21 years in training Economics teachers. A Chief Examiner for the Scottish Examination Board, at one stage he was seconded to the Scottish Education Department as National Development Officer for Economics. Prior to his leaving teacher-training in 1992, the Educational Institute of Scotland awarded Robert an honorary degree for his work with teachers in Scotland.
When the teaching of Economics in Scottish schools began to lose government favour, Robert took a primary teaching qualification, served his time as a probationary teacher in a Scottish primary school, gained a swimming teachers certificate, left teacher-training, and became an Education Officer within television for Channel 4 (which offered schools TV programmes in competition with the BBC). The whole of beautiful Scotland north of Dundee became his school-visiting patch. With little Economics output in its schools TV programming, Channel 4 pointed Robert towards its social subjects, RE, and sex education offerings (the renowned Living and Growing series was within Roberts remit).
Eventually, aged 57, Robert returned to Economics teaching, at the International School of Aberdeen, which is still his home city. The school offers the International Baccalaureate; a fulfilling final stint in Roberts official working life. Looking back, Robert feels he gained most satisfaction from working with primary school children, where his breadth of interests and enthusiasms was an advantage and where it was also alright with fellow educators for one to show interest and knowledge beyond ones own perceived specialism a state of affairs not always obvious in schools and institutions offering higher education.
Now officially retired, Robert continues to be in demand as an editor, proof-reader, events organiser, and (most satisfying of all for him) singer. He recalls his PPE student days with pleasure, and many of his tutors, lecturers, and fellow students with admiration, respect and affection. Between them, they set him up for life.
