In the summer of 2023, while his pupils enjoyed a well-deserved break after a busy academic year, history teacher Connor McGarry was firing weapons and crawling through the mud on a gruelling 2-week battle camp.
The 26-year-old, of The Wells Academy, St Ann’s, swapped the classroom for the battlefield as part of his training to become a Reserve Soldier in the British Army’s Infantry.
After passing fitness and marksmanship tests, completing medical training and undertaking a demanding five-day military exercise in the field, Mr McGarry – better known by his peers as Private (Pte) McGarry – became a trained Soldier in the ranks of C Company, 4th Battalion The Mercian Regiment, in Bulwell.
This summer, the secondary school teacher was hillwalking and mountain biking with his fellow Soldiers in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. Later in the year he’ll travel to Yosemite National Park, California, for a hiking trip of a lifetime – once more organised, and heavily subsidised, through the British Army.
It might not be every teachers’ idea of a relaxing break from their high-pressured day job, but for Pte McGarry his military service offers him an unrivalled sense of escapism and adventure.
Pte McGarry, who originally comes from Lincolnshire, said: “Technically it’s a second job, but it doesn’t feel like a job.
“I’ve got this upcoming opportunity to travel to America, I’ve learnt new skills, created fond memories and challenged myself – I’ve got way more out of the Reserves than I ever thought I would.”
Teaching the past, protecting the future
Reserves such as Pte McGarry play a critical role in national defence and security, from countering threats, peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts abroad, to supporting communities and national resilience at home.
The students in Pte McGarry’s class are well aware of their teacher’s out-of-hours commitments – he proudly flies the Mercian Regiment’s green, double-headed eagle flag in his classroom. And it prompts a lot of questions.
Mr McGarry, a former Lincolnshire Army Cadet, said: “Because most of the students have never heard about the Reserves before, they don’t understand how you can be a teacher and a Soldier at the same time.
“The students, especially the boys, find it very interesting. A lot of their experiences come from Call of Duty, so they ask things like: ‘are you a sniper?’ and ‘have you ever done a 360 no-scope?’
“I feel like it definitely helps to build a bit of rapport with some of the pupils. Every so often you get through to a kid you might not have got through to, especially some of those who might also be in the Cadets.”
School support
Pte McGarry isn’t the only Reservist at The Wells Academy, special educational needs teacher Miss Selina Smith serves with The Royal Yeomanry, and they both receive great support from the school.
Pte McGarry, who joined the school in 2021 and teaches everything from the Battle of Hastings to the fall of the Berlin Wall, said: “The school is very supportive and keen to help me with my Reservist career. The principal respects the commitment that I make outside of school and granted me time off for my Combat Infantryman's course in October last year and for my trip to California in September.
“For those weekends when I’m away with the Army, I might just have to work a bit harder at school beforehand so that I’m not unplanned comes Monday. It does require a bit of balance, but it is manageable.”
Reservists must meet a minimum annual commitment of 27 days comprising training at their local Army Reserve Centre during evenings, weekend activity and an annual camp.
While Pte McGarry can fit in some of this into his spare time, certain courses are organised during term time. Thankfully, The Wells Academy, as part of the Greenwood Academies Trust, is dedicated to supporting members of staff who are in the Reserve Forces.
Principal George Coles added: “Connor has been really grateful for my support but I don’t feel like I’m giving him this great gift, I see it as a moral obligation.
“I very much think that if you work with your staff and look after your staff and are flexible in a way that is appropriate, then you get so much more back in terms of goodwill.
“It also gives Connor another facet to him as a professional. The students see him as a teacher but also something else – it’s a positive position of authority in society and a positive role model, so its beneficial.”
Transformed
Pte McGarry’s Army story began after being drawn in by a television advert in 2022. Remembering how fondly his aunt and uncle both spoke about their time in the Territorial Army, he contacted his local Army Reserve unit and took the formal steps from there.
He said: “I wanted to do something more with my spare time and was hooked on the sense of adventure from the advert.
“I saw what was available locally, went to the Mercians and was completely sold. I was like, ‘why doesn’t everyone do this?’”
Fast forward 2 years and Pte McGarry has noticed a change in himself.
He added: “I feel a more confident person. I was always an outgoing person, but I now feel I know my capabilities and I can do so much more than I thought I could.
“My ability to work under stress has also improved due to the nature of Army training – something which carries very well over to teaching.”
And his advice for other teachers considering the Reserves?
“I feel like no matter what job you do, the Reserves is going to require sacrifices and teaching is no different. So if someone is interested, I would encourage them to just have a look into it and see what they could get out. You don’t know what you’re missing.”