Headteacher retires in her prime after taking school to new heights
HEADTEACHER Judy Samuel has retired after 11 years at the helm during which time she oversaw major changes at Leek High Specialist Technology School.
She said her final farewell to pupils last Thursday after a party in the school hall, catered by Food Technology A-level students.
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Left: Leek High retiring headteacher Judy Samuel is pictured with sixth formers, from left, Lisa Trueman, Sarah Harper and Tiffany Berry, who presented her with a photo montage. Below: Judy with chairman of governors Eileen Murfin and Leek High's new acting head, John Spencer.
Chairman of the governing body, Eileen Murfin, paid tribute to Judy's hard work and commitment since her appointment in 1998.
Mrs Murfin explained that Judy's appointment followed a controversial review of education in the Moorlands.
The outcome was that there should continue to be two high schools serving Leek and the Moorlands in a three-tier system.
Following her appointment, Judy took the first tentative steps to successful partnership work with Leek College of Further Education, which was recently praised by Ofsted and later secured specialist technology status for the school.
Challenges included handling the aftermath of a major fire in 2001, which destroyed the boys' gym and school canteen.
Under Judy Samuel's headship, a complicated building project resulted in the opening of the Fulmar centre used for sport and dining.
Judy later promoted the community partnership with Leek Hockey Club, which resulted in the school's all-weather synthetic pitch and, latterly, she has worked with governors to secure the future of education on the Springfield Road site through the co-location project with The Meadows special school.
One of her proudest achievements is leading the team of talented teachers and support staff which last summer, helped students deliver the best ever set of GCSE results – an achievement recognised by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.
Tributes were also paid by Chris Williams, head of The Meadows, who worked with Judy for three years on the co-location project.
He said: "Judy made my job easy for me and, all of us at The Meadows wish her the very best."
After accepting farewell gifts of flowers from The Meadows, a photo montage of recent events at Leek High from students and staff, and a painting of her choice from local artist Erica Brook from governors and staff, Judy explained her decision to retire before reaching the age of 60.
She said: "There is never a right moment but I do feel that now is the time for me to move on.
"I am now a grandma and look forward to spending time with my baby grandson.
"I believe there is no point doing this job unless you are in your prime. It means long hours and you need to very energetic. I think organisations can die if people stay in post for too long.
"It has been a wonderful 11 years and I don't intend to go on past my prime.
"I reflected that, with two years of the best ever results, The Meadows launched and Ofsted inspectors reporting that we are a good school with outstanding features, now is the time to depart."
Reflecting on her life in teaching, Judy revealed that one of her secrets of success is promoting self-belief in her students.
She said: "It's not where they start but where they can get to that matters."
She believes it was at school that she learned values that she could not acquire at home.
She went on to graduate from Manchester University with a degree in biochemistry and has spent her working life in teaching.
And she vowed last Thursday that she won't be severing all links with Leek High just yet.
She added: "I have always taught. I love teaching and know that there is no better job in the world, so I'll be back around very soon to help students with revision."
John Spencer takes over as acting head until a successor is appointed.
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