Trainee driving instructor. Former primary school teacher. Dad of six. Classic car enthusiast. Irish ceilidh band pianist. Owner of a grand piano that is, for reasons I'll explain shortly, mounted on the wall.
I'm currently training with LDC Driving School, providing manual driving lessons across Newcastle and the surrounding areas. I came to this career with something most new instructors don't have - years of real teaching experience, and a very large family to practise on. My eldest passed first time. Number two is currently learning. Numbers three, four, five, and six are watching and waiting.
Along the way, I heard a lot of stories from friends and their kids about driving lessons that felt impersonal, rushed, or just a bit like being processed through a system rather than actually taught. That stayed with me. I knew that with my background - and a genuine love of cars - I could offer something better: lessons where you feel like the most important person in the car, you learn at a pace that works for you, and you actually understand why you're doing what you're doing, not just what to do.
My approach is simple. You tell me how you like to learn. I adapt to that. We move at a pace that works for you, and we don't move on until you're ready. No rushing, no one-size-fits-all, and absolutely no making you feel like a burden if something takes a bit longer to click.
Before training as an instructor, I spent many years teaching in primary schools across Newcastle and Northumberland. I hold Qualified Teacher Status, a coaching and mentoring qualification, and a specialism in working with neurodivergent learners. If you've always felt like the standard approach doesn't quite fit you - that's exactly the kind of challenge I've spent my career figuring out. Finding what works for each individual person is genuinely one of my favourite things to do.
I left teaching because I wanted to work one-to-one, at the learner's pace, without the constraints that come with a school environment. Driving instruction gives me that - plus it means I spend my working days talking about cars, which is an excellent arrangement as far as I'm concerned.
When I'm not instructing, I'm usually in a garage. I own a 1978 Pontiac Firebird and a collection of classic Volkswagens - I restore them, drive them, and take them to shows around the North East. I also play piano in an Irish ceilidh band. Now, about that grand piano - my wife once made a passing comment - "Wouldn't it be amazing if..." - and I decided to find out. It's now mounted on the wall. Keyboard included. I like a challenge.
Both the cars and the ceilidh have taught me the same thing: anything worth doing takes patience, practice, and a willingness to keep going when it gets difficult. Learning to drive is no different. If you'd like to find out more or book a lesson, please get in touch. I'm always happy to have a conversation before you commit to anything - no pressure, no hard sell.
