St John's School headteacher retires after 45 years

A Sidmouth headteacher who came out of retirement to help out at St John's School when it needed him most is stepping down for a second time.

Graham Hurrell has worked in education for nearly half a century, a total of 45 years.

This week he announced that he would be retiring next year, in August 2021.

Mr Hurrell said the 'superb' former head of school, Caroline Ward, relocated to Spain in December 2019, and so his role was to bridge the gap before another 'outstanding' head could be appointed.

He added: "For this opportunity and to help St John's - a school I first visited back in 2008 - I willingly came out of retirement and don't regret one second!

"Interviews will shortly take place allowing us a smooth and hopefully seamless leadership transition, with the new Head of School taking over in August 2021.

"So effectively 11 months down and two terms to go, with the completion of many more projected targets before then."

Mr Hurrell said he then planned to spend his time with family, travelling, hopefully, and curling up with a good book, perhaps on the other, less stormy, Riviera.

When asked what he will miss most, he added: "That's probably the hardest question you could possibly have asked me.

"Honestly, there is nothing that I won't miss. Sidmouth is a stunning town to live in, and no brochure or webpage can ever do it full justice.

"Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce, in particular, has been so supportive and welcoming and I feel guilty not being able to give back more.

"St John's staff are simply one of the hardest-working and resilient groups that I have ever had the pleasure of working with, while our families and students are so friendly, charming, and united in the determination to keep St John's successful, family-oriented and such an amazing place to work and learn in.

"My wife and I have been truly blessed with this opportunity to add our grain of sand to both school and hopefully the Sidmouth community.

"So, coming from a Suffolk farming family, I'm going to 'sit on the fence' and conclude that

I'm going to miss 'everything'!"

Talking about Covid-19 and the effect it has had on the school, Mr Hurrell said there was no 'I' in team and in the case of St John's has most definitely been the case.

He added: "My role, I guess, has been the voice of experience having lived through earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, revolutions and some pretty nasty epidemics around the world.

"Quite simply, we have taken the pragmatic approach of promoting and maintaining wellbeing, providing a safe haven for the children of key workers who have done so much to support the entire community, and supporting our students at every stage so they could access the learning necessary to reach their full potential."

Mr Hurrell said at times, this had meant leading from the front, helping to cover classes in every possible age group, while also listening to the excellent ideas of students, staff and the PTFA, and implementing the consensus team model.

He added: "Everybody had a say and all ideas were explored, allowing us to emerge post Covid, wiser, wealthier in experience and able to weather any storm thrown at us.

"Hopefully, my role has been one of confidence-building, helping the staff to develop skills of

problem resolution; and of not losing sight of the main goal – the children's learning in its

most innovative, creative, child-friendly and nurturing form."

Speaking of what he was most proud of, Mr Hurrell added that it was the accomplishments of the staff at St John's.

He said: "By attempting to lead rather than manage, plan rather than react, listen rather than tell; the staff have come up with their own amazing ideas, and then implemented them.

"This has included innovative enquiries, ecology clubs, outdoor education on our own ample woodland campus, stunning creativity in all its forms, new levels of choir and music generally and a buzz in the air of excitement, industry and passion for what we all believe in: children's learning in all its forms.

"A happy and busy child always learns, and our subsequent value-added results have been our reward."

Mr Hurrell said he wished to say 'farewell but never goodbye' and thanked everyone at the school, including staff, children and parents, as well as the community for sharing their smiles, laughter and energy with him every single day.

He added: "There are two more terms to go however, and if we have achieved this much as a team, then for the future, 'if we can dream it, we can do it'.

"As the Chinese proverb goes 'a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step', and we know our destination, path, and milestones, and we certainly have the training and motivation to succeed in all our aspirations. Thank you, one and all!"