Headteacher Andy delays retirement to help his school
A headteacher has put off his retirement in a bid to help out during the coronaviris outbreak.
Andy Sinclair, of Barrhead High, was due to hang up his gown this month.
But the dedicated 64-year-old has now decided to postpone this until the summer due to difficulties in finding a new headteacher because of the curent crisis.
He said: “Almost a year ago, when I set my retirement date of
April 2020 to coincide with my 64th birthday, no one could have envisaged the situation that would impact so significantly on our school, community, country or world.
“Unfortunately the recruitment process to source a new Headteacher has not yet successfully identified someone to take over, and with the current situation that is no longer a practical possibility at this point.
“In consultation with the Education Department of East Renfrewshire Council, I have therefore offered to postpone my retirement until the summer.
“This will provide some continuity and stability for the pupils, staff and parents of Barrhead High School.”
And Mr Sinclair added: “I could not have walked away from the school at this time.”
Mr Sinclair has been in post for 10 years.
He said the pupils of Barrhead High have a special place in his heart, and the staff have been outstanding.
“Their response to the current challenging situation is evidence of that – and the parent body have been incredibly supportive over my time here,” he said.
“Although this is not how I envisaged moving towards summer, that is the case for us all now, and I am looking forward over the next few months to continuing to lead Barrhead High School safely forward towards better times for us all.”
He added: “I am happy to be still working with the staff, pupils and parents of the Barrhead High community and am confident of everyone’s ongoing support during the challenging period ahead of us for a little while longer.
“I am just hoping that the Parent Council are not looking for the chocolates back – this lockdown has done nothing for my diet.”
I am happy to be still working with the staff, pupils and parents