As Head of Technical Studies at his College in Totnes, Philip passed on his skills as a craftsman to many would-be apprentices.

In 1986 Bill Blinston, a headmaster himself by profession, wrote: "It is generally recognised that a teacher is more than a person who imparts knowledge and skills, no matter how well he or she achieves this. It is the character of the teacher, his example, and the quality of his life that matters in the shaping of those in his care. From the love and respect he generated in his pupils, Philip succeeded in this."

In the last few years of his career Philip witnessed the changes that were taking place in the profession by what he considered an insensitive government and a general public which was not always sympathetic to what teachers were trying to do. It saddened him to see the effect this was having on his colleagues in the disputes which followed. When one of the senior members of staff retired after more than thirty years at the same school, he conceived the piece of work which he entitled: The Endangered Species.

It took the form of the archetypal teacher with a mortar board and gown, bearing a cane, a rather gaunt figure which he felt typified the teaching profession in many people's minds. He described it as follows:

"The symbol of the candle and the flame is that of enlightenment. With light one is able to see and learn, Keen pupils, like moths, are drawn to the light, though using it to acquire knowledge, not to fall to their deaths.

The cane is a symbol of discipline, which in a physical sense inflicts pain and is a form of chastisement, but more importantly alludes to the self-discipline necessary to acquire knowledge. It has to be worked for and it is not given by the wave of a magic wand.

The piece is called Endangered Species because it symbolises the part of education that is passing from our schools. Greater and greater demands are made on teachers and because they don't always meet these demands in the eyes of the government and general public, they are accused of inefficiency and not doing their job."