Mr Mack started his education at age 5 at Monkton Infant School, and in 1935 went on to Mortimer Road Juniors.

His secondary education started at the South Shields Boys' High School in 1938, but at the start of the following school year, in September, 1939, he moved to Brampton Secondary School. However, he was here only until Easter 1940, when he returned to the Boys' High School - but for only a few months. In September, 1940, he moved to Bishop Aukland Grammar School for the remainder of is secondary education.

In October, 1945, he went to King's College, Newcastle (Durham University), and in June, 1948, he was awarded his BSc in Chemistry and Botany (with Physics as a subsidiary subject). He stayed on a further year to gain his Diploma in Education, and was also awarded an advanced Certificate in Music from the Durham Institute of Education.

In September, 1949, Mr Mack joined the staff of South Shields Boys' High School, where he taught Chemistry and Biology. He was also a Scout Leader with the school's scout troop. In April, 1950, the ATOM reports that he was suffering from a prolonged illness. However, he appears to have stayed with the school following this, and he eventually left om April, 1956, to join the Colonial Education Service in Nigeria.