School’s out for head after 30 years
ALONG-SERVING headteacher has revealed her sadness after announcing plans to leave the classroom after more than 30 years.
Stephanie Grimshaw, headteacher at Spring Hill Primary School in Accrington, will step down from her post in December. Applications for her successor close on June 21.
Miss Grimshaw, 59, said it will be a wrench to leave the Exchange Street school after a total of more than three decades, the last 19 she spent as headteacher.
She told the Observer: “There comes a time when you have to start doing things for yourself. It will be a big wrench, I’m not looking forward to leaving, but I am looking forward to having some more time with family and friends. Lots of things happen in term time [outside of school] that I haven’t been able to go to and enjoy.”
Miss Grimshaw made history in 1997 when she was appointed the first ever female headteacher at the school, which first opened in 1899.
She said: “There have only been six headteachers in the school, it’s the sort of place where you come and you stay. I started in 1983 as a class teacher, and I spent two years as a teacher adviser for PE in Lancashire. I came back to the school and became deputy head and then headteacher in 1997.
“Being a headteacher was not the plan, but I was encouraged by other staff to apply for the job.”
She said she will desperately miss the school community.
She said: “I have had the privilege of seeing lots of children through the school and seeing them bring their children, and in some cases grandchil- dren to the school.
“It will be a big change for the pupils and a lot of the parents because to them I have always been here, but I’m sure the governors will find a successor that will continue the good work in the school.”
Stephanie added that she had been supported by a fantastic team during her time at Spring Hill Primary School.
She added: “I will miss my colleagues and all the amazing staff, we have an amazing team here at Spring Hill from the teachers, cooks, cleaners, classroom assistants, everyone works really hard.
“We have a lot of pressure put on us by Government but we’re here for the benefit of the children in the classroom.
“I always said I wanted to do a job where getting paid was a bonus and I loved coming to work, and I found that in teaching.”