Rod qualified as a teacher when he obtained his Certificate of Education at Keswick Hall College of Education in 1975. He also has BA (Hons.) and MA degrees from the University of East Anglia. He has a variety of Outdoor Education qualifications including Mountain Leadership, Climbing Wall Supervisor, RYA Day Skipper and BCU Senior Instructor.

He has long experience (24 years) in teaching in mainstream high schools and special schools, and he has been supply teaching in middle, high and special schools since 1999. His most senior teaching appointments were as Senior Resident Housemaster in a 4-19 special school, and SENCo (Head of Special Needs) at the Archbishop Sancroft High School.

His specialist subjects have been English and History, while looking after pupils with Special Needs has been a driving force throughout his career.