Course Leaders Profiles

David Bennett

David Bennett began his teaching career in 1970 as an Art teacher, then switched to English, later became a librarian and then Head of English in a Nottinghamshire Secondary school. He retired in 2003 as Senior teacher in the same school.

It wasn't long before he was running his own catering business, teaching regularly in a Special Needs school, reviewing children's books for a national magazine and leading courses for the TRA.

David has just embarked on a barn conversion in Wales and for the last 15 years he has opened his Derbyshire garden for The National Garden Scheme.

John (Ben) Thompson

Ben Thompson was a secondary headteacher in two schools for 19 years up to December 1999, the second a large urban community college. Since then, he has worked as an educational consultant, primarily supporting headtachers and leadership teams. He also carries out a range of NPQH work, and is an assessor for the new NPQH model. Ben trained as an OFSTED inspector but no longer carries out inspections. He has been part of the evaluation of NRwS for the DCSF and is currently working on headteacher recruitment problems in Welsh schools. In amongst these commitments and presenting at the Teachers' Retirement Agency courses, he preserves time for his family, amateur theatrical work, golf, ski-ing, swimming, keeping fit and his house in southern Spain.

Julie Cutts

Julie retired in 2001 after 40 years in teaching, the last 19 as Headteacher of a Dudley (West Midlands) Grant Maintained (Foundation) secondary school which became a specialist Maths and Computing School. Two weeks prior to retirement she attended the TRA course in Birmingham and is forever glad she did.

Since retirement from teaching Julie has worked as a Threshold Assessor, External Advisor to Appointed Governors, assessor of Overseas Trained Teachers and course leader for the TRA.

During retirement Julie has taken up horse riding (again), enjoys walking, cycling, travelling and cruising. She and her husband, Tony built a house for their retirement; they enjoy spending time with friends and family, especially their grandchildren

Alan Farnish

Alan formally retired in July 2001 after 40 years of continuous service in education including overseas appointments as Principal Education Officer for the Government of Kenya and Grand Cayman. Since retiring he has formed his own Education Consultancy Service providing project support for LEAs; running two day courses for teachers and other professionals seeking overseas appointments and is active as a Course Leader for the Teachers' Retirement Agency. He has also written articles about teacher retirement in The Times Educational Supplement. Alan is married to Jane, also a teacher. Their daughter Alex after graduating has spent the past two years teaching in South Korea whilst their son Jonathan, also graduated, has recently taken up his first appointment. Alan's hobbies include distance running, world travel and cruising.

Sharon Bolus

Sharon Bolus taught for 30 years in secondary schools in the Black Country. She went from Head of Department to Head of Upper School then to Pastoral coordinator before becoming a member of the Senior Management Team with responsibility for Pastoral Care and The Pastoral Curriculum. Sharon now lives in Coventry and since retiring enjoys playing golf, reading, walking, traveling ,amateur dramatics and watching Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.