University News Last updated 09 October
From left to right: Beverley, Alistair, David, Donald, Heather, Lorraine, Ian, Pip, Barry and Simon.
BCU Alumni reunited earlier this month at the campus where they started their studies 50 years ago.
The graduates, who studied at the City of Birmingham College of Education (CBCE) before it became part of the City of Birmingham Polytechnic, a predecessor to Birmingham City University, came together at the Seacole Building on BCU’s City South campus to reflect on the moments they shared within classrooms, accommodation halls, and more.
The alumni enjoyed an afternoon tea on campus, before being given a guided tour of the building and the local area.
We caught up with the graduates to discover what their time at university was like in the 1970s, and what happened next in their lives and careers after completing their studies.
Left to right: Donald, Barry, Ian, Pip and Alistair.
Donald William Hawkley
Donald, from Kings Norton, Birmingham, applied to CBCE, starting his studies in September 1975. His goal was to combine art and teaching alongside his passion for sports.
“Life at CBCE was an absolute revelation for me. I had no idea that life could be so exciting! My parents couldn’t understand why I had given up a good job to go back into education, but CBCE made me.
“My academic life was spent in the ceramics and sculpture studios, a passion I continue with today. I also played huge amounts of sport, so much so that many students thought I was a PE student! Just like any other resident student body, the social side of life was, probably, as important as the formal demands of passing the course.
“Job applications were made at Christmas prior to leaving the following summer. I made 29 applications and secured three interviews. I attended the first one at the end of January, I was offered the job of teaching 50% Art and 50% PE, my dream job. Leaving college was very emotional for me and I decided to go straight to Cornwall with a tent. I worked on a farm during the day and surfed until dark.
“It was like landing on another planet for the lad from Brum! I stayed for 37 years teaching Art and Design and Art History at A-Level. When I was 26, I was appointed as a House Master of a boarding house containing 66 boys, aged 11 to 18. I wrote and designed a comprehensive PSHEE course too, which was embedded in the curriculum for one hour a week from year 7-12.
“In 1986 I graduated from the Open University with a degree in Art History and abandoned an MA in Educational Management at the University of Cambridge following a demanding promotion which took up most of my time.
"My professional career has also allowed me to lead cricket tours to Sri-Lanka, Barbados, Canada and the UAE.
“I left teaching in 2015 to follow my ambition to be a full-time professional artist, working in ceramics and oil paint. I work in two separate studios according to the medium I’m working in at the time. I have two or three exhibitions each year both locally and more widely.”
Barry Dore
Oxford born and Nottingham raised, Barry was given an unconditional offer to CBCE. He was involved on campus as the Vice President, then President of the Polytechnic Students’ Union for what is now the City South campus on Westbourne Road, Edgbaston.
“In years one and two, I had great fun with the guys and girls who are with me today. The SU bar at 9 Westbourne Road became a home from home; I remember the summer term of 1976, basking in the sun and drinking cider in the Botanical Gardens, night time group walks across school playing fields, crossing railway lines (stupidity, looking back), twenty meals a week in the refectory (who gets up for breakfast on a Sunday?) staying up all night playing games, editing the college ‘newspaper,’ ‘Frust’, which sailed close to wind with the exposes in its rumours section, an occupation of the administration offices, Friday night discos in the JCR and so much more.”
“I then disappeared into Students’ Union world for the next two years, following up my Vice-President post by being elected President of the Polytechnic Students’ Union. I left the Polytechnic in the summer of 1979 with no qualification but with a bucket load of memories.
“I’ve had a rich and rewarding career, first working in Students’ Unions before entering the corporate world in 1986 as a District Manager with brewers Bass, working my way up to board level roles over the next 14 years. I left in 2000 to spend two years establishing a new pub company of 1,000 pubs.
“Since my diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 2015, I have steadily reduced the amount of work I do. I now focus on leadership and life coaching and support. My wife Jakkie and I have just downsized, from our rural home of 28 years into our new home near local facilities following a complete renovation to ensure accessibility. Between us we have six children, split between Australia, America and the UK, and five grandchildren.
“Alongside the Leadership & Life work above I also write fiction and have even published two novels. I have also presented local radio shows, produce a community-based podcast, am writing a social history of the village I live in, alongside volunteering in a residential home. I’m on a mission to prove Parkinson’s Disease is not a barrier to an active and fulfilling life.”
Ian Wilson
Ian, originally from Cornwall, also joined the Certificate of Education course of 1975. After graduating from the course, he began instructing at the Outward Bound School in Wales, where he met his wife.
He worked for six years as Mountain Resecure and 48 years with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Now, he lives in Scotland with his wife where he volunteers with the Lifeboat Operations Manager at Dunbar Lifeboats Station.
Philippa "Pip" Wadsworth
Pip, from Devon, also joined in 1975, and graduated with a Bachelor of Education (Geography) in 1979.
“I chose to study a teacher training course, rather than do an outright geography degree, because I knew I wanted to teach the subject & the course would teach me to teach, so to speak, with three periods of teaching practice. I chose Birmingham because the course included lots of physical geography, my favourite.
“After graduating, I taught in Birmingham for two years before moving to Aylesbury where my new husband and I bought a restaurant, after being a finalist for two years running in The Observer Cookery Competition, the forerunner of the more modern MasterChef.
“We did that for three years but, not being conducive to family life, we sold up, and I eventually returned to the classroom, this time in Norfolk. A move to Devon followed, and I gradually veered away from geography into student support, safeguarding, careers and PSHE.
“In 2016, when I was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, I realised life was too precious and my bucket-list too big, so I retired after 33 years of teaching. That year, my husband and I set off for six months in Australia and New Zealand, and what an adventure that was! Since then, we've spent around four months every year travelling the world: China, Russia, Mongolia, SE Asia, Japan, the US & Canada, Norway, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and even Antarctica.”
Alistair James McLeod Ewan
Alistair, from Manchester, was inspired to teach because of his brother and the teachers that he encountered in his educational journey as a student. He graduated from the Alternative English Course in 1978.
“During my studies, I helped out with FRUST, our student newspaper writing some reviews of shows in Birmingham which we solicited tickets for, including Jasper Carrot, and the Birmingham REP at which I saw David Suchet go from an Alan Ayckbourn farce to a one man show of a Russian playwright in the same night!
“After leaving CBCE, I failed to get a job from my first six interviews. But, I did eventually get a job in Westcliff-on-Sea, teaching English in a secondary modern boys’ school. Years later, I discovered that I was offered the job because I played Lacrosse and the Head and his team thought that I might make a cricketer for the staff team!
“After mPowerNet I took the job, I had always avoided – Head of English, where I had started; I worked in Norfolk and lived in Suffolk, a far cry from Westbourne Road and an ideal job. Itchy feet and the chance of working nearer home led me to become Assistant Headteacher in Stowmarket and that brings me to the end of my time as a teacher. I started in 1978 and finished in 2016. So, I taught across two centuries!
"I worked in Norfolk and lived in Suffolk, a far cry from Westbourne Road. Itchy feet and the chance of working nearer home led me to become Assistant Headteacher in Stowmarket and that brings me to the end of my time as a teacher. I started in 1978 and finished in 2016. So, I taught across two centuries!
“Life is busy, but my wife and I still find time to escape on holiday as often as we can, heading to Malta over the winter period and meeting up with friends over there. We are seasoned travellers, and I am thankful that my time at CBCE allowed me the opportunities that have come my way. It was a great place to be, and I learned a lot.”
Left to right: Beverley, Lorraine, Heather, Simon and David.
Beverley Crofts
Beverly, from Nottingham, was drawn to teaching from an inspirational teacher that motivated her from a young age.
“After completing my studies, I worked for Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Social Services department for three years in a children's home.
“In 1981, when I returned to Nottingham to get married, I transferred to Nottingham Social Services department, initially working in another children's home, and then I worked in a day centre for adults with additional needs, until I left to have twins in 1987.
“Over the next few years, I juggled my Teaching Assistant hours to suit bringing up a young family and gradually built up to full-time, working at the same school as a senior Teaching Assistant, until I took early retirement with voluntary redundancy in 2016.
“Retired life these days consists of as much travel, particularly the UK, as I can cram in, alongside numerous creative hobbies and more recently, enjoying being very heavily involved with my young grandson.”
Lorraine Brady née Stewart
Lorraine, from Cheshire, was inspired to teach from her passion for the outdoors.
“After completing my studies, I began teaching at Sharston High School in Wythenshawe in September 1978 as a PE and Remedial English Teacher.
“I got married in 1981 - to a PE teacher - and had my daughter Natalie in 1982 and son Chris in 1984. I spent the last 25 years of my career teaching in special schools, teaching a range of subjects in that time, as well as PE and outdoor education. I also delivered training for the Duke of Edinburgh award across Manchester and Stockport schools and youth centres.
“Since retiring, I’ve continued to assess DofE expeditions at bronze, silver and gold levels. I’m still called upon to deliver expedition training sometimes. I still enjoy being out in the hills and like to take on at least one long distance walking route a year.
“I became a grandparent in December 2018, shortly followed by granddaughter number two in February 2019. I’m eagerly anticipating the arrival of my third granddaughter any day now!”
Heather Fiona Cunningham
Heather, from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, explored teacher training as she felt it fit her personality and skill.
“My time at City of Birmingham College of Education was the most informative three years of my life and was responsible for the person I am today.
“In my first year, I lived in College House on Portland Road, Edgbaston, and in my second and third year, I lived in Westmount Halls.
“Ironically, I never went on to teach after my studies. I met my husband and went into hospitality got into training and adult teaching, eventually retiring a few years ago as a HR Director for a chain of hotels."
Simon Andrew Happs
Simon, from Nottingham, has become a published author since he completed his studies.
“I have a few memories of those teacher training years. I spent my first year in Oakmount Halls, and then moved to a room at 237 Hagley Road, which at the time was opposite The Duck Inn.
“I taught full-time from 1978 to 2018, then part-time until January 2025. Alongside work, there’s been a couple of wives - not at the same time - and a number of significant others, alongside three children, two grandchildren and two dogs. My current passion is writing, and I have published six books so far.”
David Hirst
David, originally from Hereford, was inspired to go to Teacher Training College because of a book called ‘36 Children’. He is now based in Birmingham with his wife, retired, and volunteers across the city alongside getting involved at Hall Green Little Theatre.
“I really enjoyed my time at college. I was very sporty and played football and basketball competitively. I was also involved in a few theatrical productions which I thoroughly enjoyed. I lived in two halls of residence, Oakmount and Westmount, and lived in a shared house, reminiscent of ‘The Young Ones’ TV series, on the Hagley Road opposite The Duck Inn pub.
“On leaving college I travelled to the USA to teach swimming, as I had completed a Swimming Teachers Certificate at college, and football, as I had also done a FA coaching Award. I loved working at the summer camp so much that I returned three more times. During winter months, I did substitute teaching, bar work and worked in Youth Clubs. I also worked as a Croupier dealing American roulette.
“After finally settling down when I met my wife, I worked as a Qualified Youth and Community Worker in Birmingham, managing buildings, staff, volunteers and running youth and play provisions, as well as organising summer events.
“Thirty years into my career, I started working for the Refugee Council advising organisations set up by refugees from a variety of conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Somalia and Sudan.
“I helped them with a variety of things including strategic planning, safeguarding and child protection, governance, finding appropriate funding, and seeking charitable status. As well as working for the Refugee Council, I worked with a number of migrant charities, engaging with journalists and media around migration issues. I also worked for two voluntary organisations supporting asylum seekers, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.”