From 1936 to 1946, Ray Heppell went to Gateshead Grammar, and on to King's College, Newcastle (Durham University). He gained his BSc in Geology, Geography and Zoology in 1949, and the following year took his Diploma in Education.

After a year off, he joined the staff of Chester-le-Street Modern School in 1952, going on to Washington Grammar-Technical School in 1953 and then in 1955 to Rutherford Grammar School in Newcastle.

In 1963 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

He joined the staff of the South Shields Grammar-Technical School for Boys on 1st January, 1967, where as well as teaching Geography, he took a major part in the careers counselling at the school and was Head of Sixth Form.

In 1974 he was seconded for three years to the Grammar School Council's Careers and Educational Guidance project.