I truly believe I am institutionalised – I went to school, I went to Drama College / Teacher Training College and then I went back to school and I’d never left. Why … is a story for another day!
Step 1 – Make the decision.
Making the decision to retire was the hardest decision I have ever had to make, yet it was also one of the easiest. I had seen my school expand from 1.3 form entry to 2 f/e and in my head I knew that I would go when the school was full, and in September 2022 it was full so that was decision made.
Step 2 – Start telling people.
Once the decision had been made, the hardest part was telling people. Being in the same place for so long meant that I had built friendships as well as working relationships and I almost felt I was letting those people down by retiring. But I wasn’t and I had to get that into my head.
Step 3 – Establish a Timeline
The way forward was to have a timeline and I established this very early on with my Chair of Governors. I had spoken to her at the start of the academic year to share my intention with her. I wanted to give them the best chance to be able to recruit from a great ‘crop’ of candidates and to get the best successor.
Step 4 – If you have any doubts – Write to Yourself
The best piece of advice I was given was from my nephew, who told me to write myself a letter, telling me why I was retiring. Then I could refer to this in any moments of doubt – and I did!
Of course, once I had told the staff, the governors, the parents and the children it was like a roller – coaster and it was going so fast I couldn’t jump off!
Step 5 – Don’t be around during the interview process.
I went away for a couple of days during the interview process and that helped to distance me from what was happening. I was very happy with their appointment and that made the transition time to handover much easier.
But 41 years is a long time. I have seen off 7 US Presidents, 9 Prime Ministers, 10 Dr Whos, 30 Blue Peter presenters and 22 Education Secretaries; Education has changed beyond all measures. When I started there was no National Curriculum and no Ofsted. I’d like to think the changes that have occurred were all for the better, but I can’t.
Step 6 – Find your own way through it!
However, as much as I’d like to think I am irreplaceable, we all know we aren’t.
So how do you retire after 41 years? What happens now?
Everyone I speak to full of advice – go on holiday, don’t take on too much voluntary work, don’t take on any work, slow down gradually, etc. But I know I have got to find my own way through it all.
Close friends have said you’ll just know when the time is right and now, after 41 years, I know that that the time is right now! And I also know that the old adage is true – The Queen is dead, Long live the King.
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