Schools out for retiring teachers
School's out for summer – and not just for pupils. The end of the school year has seen a host of teachers retiring.
Among the schools to say goodbye to loyal members of staff are Dudley's Springfield Primary, Rakegate Primary in Wolverhampton, Penn Hall School, Amblecote Primary School in Stourbridge and Trysull All Saints Primary.
Max Keen, who taught more than 1,400 children during a career lasting four decades is one of the long-serving teachers to retire.
Mr Keen, from Stourport, started at Amblecote Primary School in 1978 and has decided the time was right to move on.
The 62-year-old taught Year 6 at the Stourbridge school and has seen generations of children come and go over the years – with some even returning with children of their own.
He was candid about his views on changes to teaches in recent years – some which he said had made the job more challenging. "I am grateful for working at such a great school, he said. "The changes have been massive. When the national curriculum came in it was like teaching in a straitjacket.
"It's now about data, percentage levels and league tables and the fear of Ofsted. But the school and kids have been great."
It will be far from a quiet retirement for Mr Keen, who gives historical talks and plays in a Beatles tribute band – The Magical History Tour.
He was given a send off at a get-together with colleagues, some of whom even chipped in with a few Beatles numbers.
After 39 years in the job, Mr Keen said it was time for a change.
He said: "I will miss the day to day, the banter with the staff and teaching the kids. It was just the right time to go."
David Parry, has stepped down from his post as headteacher at Penn Hall, in Vicarage Road, Penn, after more than three decades.
The school caters for children and young people aged three to 19 who have physical disabilities or complex medical needs.
Teaching assistant Anne Hollyoak who devoted almost two decades to helping youngsters in the classroom at Trysull's All Saints' CE (VC) Primary School also retired.
She spent 19 years caring for children at the school.
Headteacher Jane Woodall bid farewell to Mrs Hollyoak and said: "Thank you for all your support and care over the past 19 years – you will be sadly missed."
Writing in an online blog for the school website last Friday, when pupils celebrated the end of term, Mrs Woodall praised staff and children for their 'many successes'.
Stourbridge's Brook Primary School saw headteacher Lynn Carwright and deputy head Elaine Bloomfield both retire.
In the school newsletter, the duo were thanked for their 'countless hours, blood, sweat, tears and relentless commitment' they had given for the children.
It read: "They truly are rock stars and game-changers, who have been the motivating factors behind our many successes here.
"They have encouraged us to reach for the skies, fearlessly and passionately."
School is also out for headteacher of Springfield Primary School in Dudley Road, Rowley Regis, Sue Powis who has retired. She celebrated her last day with the school's pupils.
