Former deputy head teacher retrains as paramedic

Marc Roberts was the oldest student on his course and graduated with a first-class paramedic science degree

A deputy head teacher retrained as a paramedic after he said he fell out of love with his old job .

Marc Roberts taught for more than 20 years before he decided he wanted to focus on a role he aspired to when he was 16.

The 51-year-old, from Walsall, started training with West Midlands Ambulance Service after graduating with a first class degree in paramedic science from Staffordshire University.

Mr Roberts said he thrived on supporting people in difficult times: " A teacher helps a child, a paramedic helps a patient.”

Deciding to switch careers was not easy, despite no longer enjoying being a deputy head teacher, he said.

"But what could I do about it? I’ve got a family, a mortgage, and no idea what else I could or would like to do," Mr Roberts added.

From teaching to being taught

Having a conversation with a lecturer on a university open day convinced him he was not too old to make a change and a fresh career was still possible.

Beginning his degree during the Covid pandemic made it more challenging, he said, and he had to adjust to being taught rather than teaching.

“I’m used to being at the front of the room delivering the lessons and now all of a sudden I’ve got to listen to others doing that," he said.

He will soon be working as a fully-qualified paramedic once his ambulance service training was complete, said Staffordshire University.

Mr Roberts believed his old job helped him succeed: "There’s a very close link between teaching and being a paramedic, a lot of skills are transferable."