Steve Lewington

“The legend”

How did you come to work at CLS?

After my father refused my joining the Royal Marines, I became an apprentice toolmaker after leaving school and after qualifying as an engineer, worked at an engineering factory training other apprentices. Amongst other things, we were making parts for planes and equipment used in the Falklands War, (plus a top secret Universal Studios Commission – the sphere head of R2-D2). After a few years’ work experience, I took the opportunity to study CNC (Computerised Numerical Control) at college and joined The London Nautical School as a Workshop Technician in the 1980s.

I joined CLS as a Technician in 1986 just as the school was relocating to the current site. Everyone who interviewed me or I met in the process was so friendly and as much as the old school was a bit run down by then, it was promising that we’d be working in a new school, and I had lots of industry experience to bring with me.

I was in the old school for about four or five weeks, during which time they were throwing items in a skip outside the school, with lots of members of the public coming along and taking bits and pieces. The lectern that’s now sitting in the Asquith and Hale was returned about 20-years later by a member of the public! I was able to decommission the old workshops and setup the new facilities here in what is currently the Sixth Form Common Room. It was a great opportunity to setup and build the department from scratch with Head of Design Technology Tony Nelson.

Are there any memories from your first few years at the school that really stand out?

The boys – the politeness of the pupils. A lot of the pupils had never done the sort of work we were doing in Design Technology, so we were teaching them new ‘hands-on’ skills so they could physically build projects. They would always come and speak to you and have a good chat!

You must have seen a lot of change in the programme since the 1980s?

Yes, of course, technology has moved everything on. It used to be a lot more hands-on and now we probably do less of the practical skills, which the pupils still enjoy. But the skills required in modern industry mean we’re now using more machinery like lasers or drawing via CAD. We used to write the actual programmes for each project, but now we have the technology to do that bit for us. But parents have always commented that the skills their sons have learnt have given them great confidence outside of school – probably some life skills they wouldn’t have gained otherwise.

Of course, the school has also grown a lot, including our department from our original team of two on the ground floor. I’ve been involved in several refits of the workshops as the subject has grown in popularity, as well as setting-up the Design and Technology department at the Girl’s School. As I retire, the Technology Centre is getting another upgrade; always new technology!

What’s been your favourite part of the job?

The interaction with the pupils. I’ve worked with some wonderful colleagues, who are now friends, but the questions and challenges the pupils have given me have always been rewarding.

When they walk into the workshop for the first time, they’re often excited and nervous! But the creativity of the students always amazes me. I would give them a project topic alongside some ideas of similar things currently on the market, and it never fails to amaze me the ideas they come back with. I’ve had to go away and think through a number of plans, but they always get built. All the project ideas are unique, and it’s been fun to work with the pupils on so many different ideas over the years.

I know we’ve had pupils go on to be successful sculptors, engineers and running their own businesses such as robotics firms or designing security cameras, with lots of them winning all kinds of competitions and awards.

At Parent’s Evenings I’ve started to see a lot more Old Citizens who I taught some years back, and now I teach their sons; its time for me to move on before their grandchildren come to CLS!

Do you have a particular project that you enjoyed most?

I’ve done so many, but the one I always came back to was the wooden box project with OG pupils. Before joining CLS they have usually only worked with card, paper or similar materials, even spaghetti, but rarely with wood. Many of the pupils think they will never be able to make the box, but they learn so many technical skills; technical drawing and measuring, holding and using tools properly, learning to saw and then also sawing at different angles, through to learning about different wood and their finishes and French polishing.

I’ve always said to the pupils that what they produce represents them, and if they are proud of it, they will take it home, which they always do. The wooden box usually turned out to be mum’s jewellery box!

You’ve been involved in lots of different elements of school life, too, tell us a bit about that.

My dad was a Keeper here for just over a year (his retirement didn’t agree with him). During that time, we started the Judo Club. It became really popular, with lots of pupils taking part in competitions, including nationally, with one just missing out on the Olympics, although he did go on to win a few European titles. I really enjoyed taking them to competitions, and I know several pupils continued Judo at University. I led that for about 20 years.
But I also helped with lots of things, including the first WWI history trips, multiple clubs and societies, and of course DT clubs. In recent years, I’ve helped the Classics Society with building recreations of ancient cities and monuments – we usually have to scale-down their ideas a bit, but they are good fun to help build!

Do you have any plans for retirement?

A lot of people make plans, but I’ve decided to take it day by day. I’d like to see where the wind takes me! But I’m building up my workshop at home to help with little jobs – plus building a few sheds! These are skills you never forget, so I’ll still be using them.