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News > Staff interviews > An interview with Former Head of Art and Design, Ted Coney

An interview with Former Head of Art and Design, Ted Coney

A glimpse into Ted’s 34 years at Hills Road, from the art department’s transformation to unforgettable teaching moments.
Ted Coney
Ted Coney

What was Hills Road like in your early years?

I started work at the college in 1971, when it was the Cambridgeshire High School for Boys, knowing it would turn into the mixed sixth form college it is today. It was a relatively progressive school, but the facilities for Art were pretty grim and I only had one room, so I resolved to enlarge the department over time. It was an uphill battle in the early years.

What changed over the years?

When I retired in 2005, the department had grown to over 300 Art, Photography and Art History students, six teaching staff and four technicians. We had eight teaching studios, two resource rooms, and a Sculpture studio and garden.

I’m still in contact with some of the staff and try to go back to the former staff party each summer to catch up with art colleagues who are still there.

Any memorable moments?

The department winning the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for our community projects. It was a slightly surreal day accompanying art staff and students to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen.

Princess Anne was particularly friendly and invited us to see the Queen’s Gallery. Prince Philip was less complimentary: “Not that terrible place,” he said, remembering hitting his head on a hanging sculpture some years previously when visiting the department. At least he recognised us.

What was rewarding about being Head of Art and Design?

Some of the most rewarding times were the art courses at Burwell House and Thornham Magna. Unfettered by bells and time constraints, students could work on their art all day. One time we had a French cabaret complete with Can-Can girls dancing across the room, which had to be sketched at lightning speed.

Which teaching experiences stayed with you?

Hills Road students were always at the top of their game and there wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do to be successful. We got permission for one student to burn her sculpture on the field, which she had to record for the examiner.

When I suggested she might need a ladder to get a better angle, she exclaimed “A ladder?! I’ve hired a cherry picker!” Sure enough, as we spoke a cherry picker drove into view.

Ted Coney, March 2026


Ted has continued painting and hosts a pop-up gallery at his home in Ely. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday with a three‑month exhibition, Every Object Paints A Picture, at the Norris Museum in St Ives.

In the last three weekends of July 2026, Ted’s garden gallery will be open as part of the Cambridge Open Studio’s Ely Art Trail.

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