Breaking up is hard to do!

I have felt for a while that my time to go was approaching. After the fantastic inspection report in 2006, I was on cloud nine. The critique in the report was on my first five years in the job, and the report was fabulous! There are always things to do in a school; things to change, alter, adjust, shape, manipulate. Schools are organic; they develop. I am immensely proud of Chesham Prep School, it will always have a place in my heart. I have invested so much of me into the school, so much energy, so much vitality, that I will always be connected to it. The school is in fantastic shape.

I could have stayed. Many people have asked me to! That would have been wrong. It would have been a mistake to outstay my welcome. I want to go out at the top and I believe (with all due modesty, I promise!) that this is what I am doing.

For me, if not for Chesham Prep School, this has come about at precisely the right time. Rather like a relay race, the handover between me as Headmaster here and the next Head will be at full speed; no slowing down, no dropped baton, no stepping out of the relay box. The next Head, I am sure, will be excellent and will carry on the work that we have all done over the past few years. And I mean “we”. This is a team effort. The team that I have assembled within the school and around me, is sensational. This is how and why I know that Chesham Prep will be fine after I leave.

But then again, maybe this is in actual fact excatly the right time for Chesham Prep as well? Maybe the timing is mutually perfect? Who wants a Head who is slowing down, prone to dropping the odd baton, ficelle, baguette, parisienne? (Are you with me, francophones?) I believe that I am “in my prime” as a Head. I would hate to leave with people whispering “About time!”

I have been overwhelmed by the words of support that people have given me. I have been taken aback by the strength of feeling amongst staff, pupils and parents alike. Headship can be a lonely job at times. The “buck” stops on my desk; there is nowhere to pass it along to! Parents have been spontaneous in their reaction and unanimous in their response.

I suppose the old addage of “No news is good news” holds true in this job. If parents are not happy, they have a tendency of letting you know! If they are happy they tend to keep quiet. If you meet parental expectations, you are doing your job. If you fail to live up to expectations, you hear about it. If you exceed expectations, which is the aim, parents sometimes tell you so (Thank you so much!)

I love this school. I adore the children. I value the Staff. I appreciate the parental body.

Leaving Chesham Prep School will be hard; so hard. Sometimes we have to be cruel to be kind. I have had a wonderful love affair with CPS. My next love affair begins in September.

But until then, this affair carries on!