Teacher Omolo Johnson says that experience is essential is his work with pupils suffering from mental health issues.

Omolo works at the Royal Bethlem Hospital, London, which is the oldest psychiatric hospital in the world dating back to 1247.

He teaches mathematics to 12 to 18 year old patients with issues such as anxiety, depression, psychosis and anorexia.

“These children need extra support,” says Omolo.

“You need to understand how each child learns and how to adapt to their needs in your teaching. That comes from experience.

“You also have to be able to look ahead. It’s not just about teaching them now. You need to help them prepare for the future.

“And you need to have a lot of confidence in yourself. These children need to believe in your ability as a teacher and that you know what you’re talking about.”

Omolo grew up in Uganda and studied in St Petersburg, Russia, before coming to live in England and completing his teaching training.

He has been a mathematics teacher for 23 years and was previously Head of Special Educational Needs at a secondary school.

Omolo still loves teaching and finds his current role working at the hospital school particularly satisfying.

“I have developed special relationships with the students and the staff here,” he says.

“It’s great to see the young people gaining confidence. When we try to integrate them back into their mainstream schools, they come back and tell me how it went.

“They’ll often say ‘I am ahead in mathematics now’ or ‘I knew how to do this calculation’. It’s very rewarding to see their progress.”

Omolo, 56, would like to continue teaching at the hospital school until he retires and adds that “the stability is important for the children.”

His advice to anyone entering the teaching profession now would be: “You need to have stamina and resilience.

“You do need to be able to sustain yourself because things are changing all of the time. Education is moving so fast.

“You need to be open-minded and ready to adapt to new expectations. Look at how experienced teachers manage and don’t work in isolation.

“Go for any training offered by your workplace or the Union, and network with the teachers that you meet there.”

Omolo has been a very active member of the NASUWT-The Teachers’ Union since he joined as a student.

He has served as Assistant Local Secretary, Treasurer, and Health and Safety Representative for his Southwark Local Association over the years.

“I think the NASUWT is very good,” says Omolo. “It is inclusive and listens to everybody.

“I have found that more and more BME members have joined over the years and I am very happy with how the Union supports them.”

Omolo is one of the dedicated teachers featured in our Celebrating Experience campaign.