Derek taught Maths in various Glasgow schools from the mid 1970s, finally retiring from Shawlands Academy in 2009.

In his retirement. Derek set up “dlbmaths” on YouTube back in 2012 which (by September 2023) had over 10.6 MILLION views. https://www.youtube.com/@DLBmaths

Derek has provided videos for year after year after year of every question in the SQA Maths exams. These are produced in his own inimitable style- with dry humour and only his hands in view as he explains the Mathematical thinking and process involved to succeed in each. There are hundreds of hours of footage on YouTube and this is the tip of the iceberg when you consider the countless hours preparing, editing and uploading these.

We are blessed with plenty of resources for National 5 Maths and a decent amount for Higher Maths which have been provided freely by generous Maths teachers. Advanced Higher, though, is not as richly provided for. In some schools where only a couple of periods each week are assigned for teaching Advanced Higher, dlbmaths is a lifeline in providing bonus explanations and helpful tips.

Reading through comments in the videos it is clear that Derek’s channel has single-handedly been responsible for dragging some students through National 5, Higher and (particularly) Advanced Higher.

Derek Blackburn does all this under a cloak of anonymity- very few people even know his secret identity – he is the very well deserving recipient of the 2025 Achievement Award. (Derek will be presented with the physical award ASAP)