A bit about me…

I have recently retired after 35 years in full-time educational settings in HMC and selective schools, most latterly as a Head of Geography at a leading and highly successful Girls’ Grammar School. Throughout this career I was lucky enough to hold many and varied positions, ranging from a Trustee and Warden of an Outdoor Centre, Director of Teacher Training and School Governor. Prior to entering the secondary school environment, I worked in outdoor education and the offshore Oil Industry – both formative experiences. I am a long-standing Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a Chartered Geographer. My links to the Society are further enhanced by being a member of the North West Regional committee.

Why I love being a Teacher Tour Leader…

I have long been an advocate of fieldwork to support the in-class learning and fieldwork was always a key element of our offer to pupils at al levels. It is this ‘outdoor experience’ that drives my belief in, and passion for, the role of TTL’s. I first visited Iceland in 1992 and took my first school group there in 1998, and ever since then, the unique physical, cultural and social landscape has inspired repeat visits, especially since taking up the role of a TTL in 2014.

John’s Favourite Place in Iceland 

I am particularly interested in those areas away from the main tourist destinations, for example in the North around Husavik and the Tjornes Peninsula, the interior Highlands and the eastern fjords.

If pushed to choose just one favourite place, it would have to be the glacial area in the highlands around Langjokull.