A 15-year era in education has come to an end, as well-known headteacher, and outspoken defender of schools and teaching, Geoff Barton stands down.
The headteacher at King Edward VI School, in Bury St Edmunds, marked his final day today (March 31) with emotional goodbyes and a celebration of the school’s successes.
Mr Barton, 54, said the school now feels “complete” after he guided King Edward through the move to two-tier, a cause he championed from the start.
His staff yesterday spoke of Mr Barton’s “fearless” approach to speaking out against policy and proposals that he felt would harm not only his school, but schooling in general.
“There has been an outpouring of emotion,” said Mr Barton. He said parents at the school were “amazing”, while staff and pupils have been brilliant.
“I have not for a second thought that this is not the right decision, but it has been sinking in. I taught my last ever English lesson this morning, on poetry, it starting dawning on me that I will not be doing this again.
“And that is 32 years I have been teaching English. Similarly I gave my last assembly, and it has hit me.”
Mr Barton’s replacement, Lee Walker, will join the school after the Easter school holidays in two weeks. “In getting to know him over the past months, I have realised he does not just want to be a headteacher, he really wants to be the headteacher here. He really buys into the ethos we have.”
In his time as headteacher, Mr Barton has routinely challenged policy he saw as damaging, as well as championing ideas that he thought would help.
He is now set to become the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) General Secretary, a role which will see him rub shoulders with Government ministers and education chiefs.
Diane Hartnell, Mr Barton’s personal assistant for eight years, said: “He has been brilliant to work with. He has a great sense of humour. He has always been prepared to stick his head above the parapet.”
Kirsty Barnes, psychology teacher at the school for six years, paid tribute to Mr Barton’s “inspirational” teaching and leadership.
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