The Wooldridge name is familiar to many a student at Hymers College.  Physics teacher, Roger Wooldridge taught at the school from 1976 until he retired in 2013. His son, Tim studied at the school from 1985 until leaving in 1995.

After leaving Hymers, Tim went on to study Computer Science at Teesside University and followed a career in Software Development.  He previously worked in the defence & health care industries and for the last 10 years, he has been working for Redrow.  At Redrow, he was writing, updating & managing their suite of IT systems, which was used by both customers and staff, in the offices and on their building sites.

Tim has remained in touch with fellow classmates Richard Taylor (OH 1979-89), Simon Fairclough (OH 1986-88), Chris Colley (OH 1986-95) and said his favourite teacher "can only be Mr Wooldridge (of course…)".

Despite being the son of a teacher, this did not stop Tim getting up to mischief and during a staff barbecue in one summer holiday, he did manage to get across to the island in the lake with two other teachers children.  "They know who they are!"

While at school, Tim led a busy life outside of his studies.  For many years, he helped with the stage lighting and technical side for school plays and drama competitions, under the careful watch of his Dad.  He also assisted with running the school computer networks (both PC and MicroVAX) in the days when students were allowed to do such a thing (before GDPR).  He also assisted in the library for many years (although he was never officially a librarian).

Tim has continued a love of learning & personal development.

After finishing my first degree, I realised that I enjoyed university study so much that I continued on to study Mathematics and Statistics part time at the Open University (starting in 2000 and finishing in 2014) – 14 years to study for a degree – probably a new world record! 

In 2008, I was offered an opportunity to study for a Graduateship Award in Youth Training & Management, from the City & Guilds Institute (which, I’m told, is the vocational equivalent of a degree), which was funded in part by the Ministry of Defence, through my work with the Cadet Forces. That was finished in 2010.

I then went on to study an MSc in Technology Management (again at the Open University), from 2016 – 2020, however graduation was delayed 2 years because of COVID.

One particular high point of the studying was being able to use the knowledge and research undertaken for my final dissertation to help guide the direction of a work project, with great results.  One low point was trying to study, whilst my wife (Amanda) was in hospital with Cancer – however she survived (mercifully), and I managed to complete the degree.

I would love to go on to study something else, but maybe enough is enough – for now…