School’s out for head
AHEADTEACHER is taking early retirement after ten years at the helm of the Valley’s largest school, and 36 years in teaching.
Mark Jackson, of Haslingden High School, has worked in five Lancashire schools, including Fearns Community Sports College and Habergham High School in Burnley, coincidentally where deputy headteacher Russell Clarke, who will be taking over as headteacher, was a student and later teacher.
Mr Jackson, 58, said: “I have decided to retire because it just felt the right time for school and the right time for me.”
After what has been an extremely tricky 16 months in education, he praised the support the school has had from staff and parents.
He said: “There have been lots of challenges, but the job is incredibly rewarding and without doubt it always a real pleasure seeing the students getting their rewards at the end of Year 11 and Year 13. I absolutely love attending school on exam results morning.
“What this school also offers though is a fantastic array of extra-curricular activities. We have national sporting champions, superb music and over 100 doing the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme each year. We offer a holistic education and the students leave our school as well rounded individuals with the right set of beliefs and core values. They have been given the opportunity to grow academically and pursue their interests and aptitudes outside of the classroom.”
He explained that in the last 18 months there had been no restful holidays for many school staff because every break the school had to begin preparing for new restrictions once the students returned, as well as ongoing day-to-day management of an ever-changing system throughout the pandemic.
Mr Jackson said: “The school’s teaching and support staff have been amazing throughout.” He also praised the parents of students, past and present, who have been overwhelmingly supportive of the school.
Mr Jackson lives with his wife Liz, where he has a number of family pets - two dogs, two cats, two goats, two donkeys, a lizard and a pony. He is looking forward to a holiday and plans to spend more time in the outdoors including discovering the beauty of walking in the Rossendale Valley.
New headteacher Mr Clarke, 39, was head of year then assistant head at Hameldon Community College and an assistant head at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.
He said: “At Haslingden I have felt part of a family.
“We have very supportive families and absolutely brilliant staff, and we have seen that throughout the pandemic. When the staff all come together, there is nothing we can’t achieve.”