Meet Richard, Subject Advisor
Life at Cambridge
My journey into education wasn’t something I had planned, but as I pursued my academic studies, I discovered a deep passion for teaching. With a background in philosophy, I spent many years in the classroom, finding immense satisfaction in helping students make breakthroughs in their understanding. Whether I was explaining complex philosophical and religious concepts or helping students grow in their development, the creative challenge of teaching was what I enjoyed most. I loved finding unique ways to ignite those ‘lightbulb moments’ for my students.
However, over time, I found myself at a career crossroads. While I loved the academic side of teaching, I realised that career progression in education was often limited, especially if you were more focused on learning and theory rather than pastoral responsibilities. I wanted to continue contributing to education but in a different capacity.
That’s when I moved to OCR, Cambridge’s UK exam board, where I now work as a Subject Advisor in Religious Studies. One of the most exciting aspects of this role is the broader impact I can have.
Instead of being confined to my own classroom, I now have the opportunity to shape the tools and resources used by teachers and students nationwide. Whether I’m writing blogs, quality assuring professional development materials, or supporting teachers through webinars, I feel like I’m making a meaningful contribution to education on a larger scale.
Working at Cambridge has also opened up new career possibilities that simply weren’t available in teaching. I’ve been able to work on different projects, enjoy a better work-life balance, and continue making a difference in student learning, just in a different way.
