Ref. 25740-11RETIRING TEACHERS: STUART Arnold is probably the only teacher this summer who is retiring from teaching to go back to school.

After discovering a long hidden talent for art when he took a GCSE in the subject, Mr Arnold will start a Fine Arts degree at Bath Spa University College in September.

The Ridgeway School hearing impaired unit teacher only took up the subject four years ago to help one of his pupils in his art coursework.

Mr Arnold, 56, of Melksham, started his career at Wheelers Lane Secondary School for Boys in Kings Heath, Birmingham 35 years ago before moving to the Ridgeway School in 1973.

For the last eight years he ran the hearing impaired unit and also taught religious education, maths and computer studies at the school.

He said: "I started working on the GCSE and found I was enjoying it, and I got an A grade.

"I had never enjoyed art at school and never took much of an interest through my adult life.

"After 35 years I felt my energy was running out a little and it was time for a change."

Mr Arnold will study sculpture at university.

"I will miss school but I'm looking forward to a new challenge, I think I will miss it when September comes and I'm not teaching."

Mr Arnold and his wife Ann have has two grown up daughters, Alison and Karen.

This year he has spent four days a week in school and one day each week on an art and design Access course run by Swindon College as he prepared to apply to university.