Meet Britain's OLDEST Teacher

Real Fix

Credit: SWNS   Dedicated Eric Jones is believed to be Britain’s oldest teacher at 82 years old.  The grandfather-of-five has taught at least 4,000 children Religious Education and English since he started his career in 1969.  “I just love teaching, just standing in front of a class of students is thrilling,” he said.  Eric worked in schools in London in the 60s before officially retiring in 2001 aged 61.

Transcript

00:00 Having retired 21 years ago, this has given me another new lease of life.

00:05 Hi, I'm Eric Jones. I live in Evesham and I'm 82 years of age.

00:12 Although strangely, about two years ago I went back into the classroom

00:17 and began to do some supply teaching, partly because the government asked

00:22 if anybody would be willing to go back and help,

00:24 and partly because I just love teaching teenagers.

00:28 I actually do still feel as though I'm capable of doing all this stuff.

00:33 My wife and I very often say that you really have to grow old, but you never have to grow up.

00:39 So working with teenagers has kept us both pretty much alive.

00:43 Taught for the last few years, of course voluntarily now,

00:47 and then for many, many years as a volunteer with youth groups or with youngsters doing drama,

00:53 and then for 30 odd years as a professional teacher, becoming a deputy headmaster in London

01:00 in the late 80s, 90s, and eventually retiring in 2001.

01:06 But just 18 months ago, the government asked if anybody would be willing to go back and help

01:12 as the pandemic was coming to an end.

01:14 So I volunteered and I've been going into nearby secondary schools teaching teenagers since then.

01:23 Usually one or two days a week, but I absolutely adore it.

01:26 Having retired 21 years ago, this has given me another new lease of life.

01:33 [music]

01:39 [MUSIC]

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