Celebration of headteachers’ service to Devon’s children

A celebration of over 400 years of service to children in Devon by 14 headteachers has been held by the county’s schools chiefs.

The leader of Devon County Council, John Hart, and the Cabinet Member for Schools, James McInnes, Chief Executive Phil Norrey and Head of Education and Learning, Sue Clarke, hosted the celebration for heads who left their schools during the current academic year after a lifetime of service.

Most were retiring but others were going on to work in other areas.

In all they have spent 405 years educating children across the county.

Heather Boote spent 39 years teaching children in Devon and retired  as head of Stoke Gabriel Primary while Phil Cloke from Fremington Primary gave more than 38 years’ service.

Robin Smith retired as head of Landscove Primary after 36 years teaching in the county while Holly Torvell from St Giles on the Heath Primary has 35 years’ service.

Janet Ronson from Harbertonford Primary and Claire Browne from Topsham School gave 34 years’ service each while Kate Mason from KEVICC in Totnes has 31 years’ service in Devon schools.

Husband and wife headteachers Heath and Jillian Nickels who are retiring as heads of Silverton and Upottery primaries after a combined 56 years service to children in Devon, pictured with James McInnes and Sue Clarke.

Husband and wife heads Jillian Nickels from Upottery Primary and Heath Nickels from Silverton Primary each gave 28 years’ service to Devon schools while Sally Maunder from Rydon Primary and Bob Foale from Exminster Primary each have 26 years’ service in Devon’s schools.

Jackie Jackson, the head of Ladysmith Junior in Exeter has 24 years’ service in Devon and Gareth Davies, the head of Newton Abbot College, has 17 years’ service.

And Anne Hood from St Sidwell’s School in Exeter spent nine years in Devon.

They were all invited to a special garden party and buffet supper in Exeter.

Mr Hart told them: “Devon has a lot to be proud of – particularly in its education service.

“My sincere thanks go to you all on behalf of Devon County Council and the children of Devon for all the work you have done.”

He said he wished those who were retiring a long and happy retirement and every success to those who were moving on to new ventures.

Dr Norrey said he wanted to thank the heads on behalf of the thousands of children who had passed through their care over the years.

“It is heads and teachers in schools who make a difference and you can look back with pride on a job well done,” he said.