From apprentice draughtsman to Head of Design, Mr T Masters tells us all.

Tell us about yourself.

I am in my third year at Blackheath High School. I teach Design Technology at Junior School, teaching design and critical thinking to Year 6. For the last two years, I have also been Head of Design at Senior School and teach design to Years 7-13. 

At 16, I became an apprentice draughtsman at a Civil Engineering firm in Kent (in the days before computers!). After four years of training (including one day a week 9am to 9pm day release college), I went to study architecture for seven years. After working in London for a couple of years, I decided to take a PGCE in Design Technology at Goldsmiths' College. That was 22 years ago and now I am here.

What do you like most about your job?

Seeing students begin to understand the essence of the design process and how it can be interpreted. I literally saw a Year 10 student's eyes widen in realisation last week. Now she is unstoppable, determined to work on the difficult, technical, mathematical problem that she has set herself - the sky is the limit for her now.

What makes working here at Blackheath High School so rewarding and enjoyable?

The support of parents and the desire of students.

What has been your biggest achievement at Blackheath High School?

Getting the job in the first place was a great moment. I have worked in some tough schools and every day I remember how lucky I am to be working in such an aspiring and diverse south london school.

What has been your biggest challenge at Blackheath High School?

It is a busy school and keeping up with planning, teaching, marking and meetings to the best of my ability is a challenge in itself. 

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Skiing, going to concerts (I still call them gigs), motorcycling, socialising, drawing, designing, being with my family. 

Tell me something surprising about yourself.

I have been to 44 countries, driven across America three times and visited 40 different states there. I am planning a solo road trip to see Frank Lloyd Wright buildings (hopefully in a big V8) next year.