Mr Cowey started teaching after the war, having flown as a navigator with the RAF.  He had a long and distinguished teaching career having been the first Deputy Head of Prudhoe Secondary Modern School and later Head of Willington High School in North Tyneside before joining Blaydon.  When he took over the Headship he found a school which was still in the aftermath of reorganisation.  Only four years earlier Blaydon Grammar School and Blaydon East Secondary Modern had amalgamated.

The new comprehensive school was split between the two sites and the arrangement led to pupils having to travel along Shibdon Road several times a week. Mr Cowey presided over the eventual further reorganisation of the school onto the one site, which called for certain building alterations, and the installation of a dozen demountable classrooms.  There was much relief from the staff and pupils when the whole school was accommodated on the Shibdon Road site.

"Tim" is best remembered by staff for his warmth of personality.  Any teacher calling into his office was almost certain to be regaled with tales of his wartime exploits in Coastal Command, his keen interest in caravanning, or - it may as well be told - his fondness for single malt whiskies.  A keen cricketer, he occasionally played in the Staff v School match at the end of the summer term