Bradford-based actor and freelance drama teacher Lee Otway has built a dynamic career combining his passion for performing arts with his love of teaching.
Although Lee’s professional life first took him into acting, the idea of teaching had always stayed with him. “I first experienced the profession during a school work placement years ago,” he explains. “My acting career took priority for a long time, but eventually the timing was perfect to pursue teaching properly.”
To make that move, Lee returned to a familiar place, Bradford College, where he had completed a BTEC in Performing Arts 25 years earlier. “Coming back felt like returning to a place that had already supported my ambitions once before,” he says. He chose the PGDip in Education and Training, a course that allowed him to build on existing experience while developing the practical teaching skills he needed. “It was the perfect route for me,” Lee reflects.
Today, Lee works across multiple educational settings, delivering freelance performing arts sessions and tutoring in the evenings and at weekends. “It’s a busy mix,” he says, “but I enjoy being able to teach in different environments.” His training at Bradford College played a key role in giving him the confidence and professional understanding to thrive in those varied settings. “The course gave me the structure, insight and confidence I needed to move forward.”
One of the most valuable lessons he took from the course is the importance of reflection. “Always make time for self‑reflection,” he says. “You never stop learning, no matter how long you’ve been teaching.” It’s a mindset he still carries into his everyday practice.
For Lee, what set Bradford College apart was the people. “The teachers were wonderful,” he says. “Their support, encouragement and expertise really set the experience apart.” Looking back, he describes the staff as “absolutely second to none.”
His message for anyone thinking about starting their teacher training journey at Bradford College is simple:
“Go for it. There’s no better place to begin your journey.”