Headteacher bows out after 16 years

Mr Storey will leave at the end of the term next month after 16 years in charge. He is the longest-serving head in the Bognor Regis area by several years and only the third head since the school was built in 1951.

He said he had enjoyed every day of his time at the Raleigh Road premises of 360 children, 21 teachers and 22 support staff but he feared such longevity was in danger of disappearing.

'I will not miss the pace of change in schools. It's not that a lot of it is inappopriate, it's just the rapid timescales that are imposed on schools and, in particular, headteachers. It's not something that I have welcomed.

'There's a sense of frustration because to develop a school takes time but the politicians' timescales are shorter. They want results within a parliament but it takes considerably longer to raise standards at a school.

'I know all heads feel that pressure that we are expected to produce results within such a rapid period,' he stated.

'We are not producing products. We are developing people. It's not just about enabling children to get to levels four or five in the SAT tests. We are trying to develop well-rounded individuals and pupils can be extremely variable."'

Mr Storey said the school's popularity through the generations, with many pupils' parents having been there, showed they appreciated its standards. The thriving Home School Association was another sign of their backing for the values taught in the school.

'It's all about ensuring the children feel part of the school community, enjoying the work they are given and finding it interesting and challenging.

'That way they feel valued and have their achievements recognised and they can enjoy being with their friends,' explained Mr Storey.

Aged 58, he will continue in education after his departure from the school. He will act as a consultant to the grouping of Bognor Regis and Felpham family of 17 schools, which he chairs, as well as being an external examiner for the University of Chichester for its graduate teacher programme.

His departure from the school at the end of term on July 20 will end his 36 years in education. He joined the army after he left school but a former schoolfriend's teacher training tempted him to find out more about the profession.

He joined a junior school in Luton in September 1971 and he stayed for 11 years. He moved to a newly built school in the town as its deputy head for five years.

He became the head of Medmerry School in Selsey in 1986, where he still lives, and moved to Rose Green Junior School five years later.

'It's been a pleasure being here,' the father of four explained. 'It has been a wonderful experience being the school's head. I don't think I could have been happier anywhere else.'

His deputy for 13 of those years has been Linda Slinger. She will be stepping up to replace him in September. 'I am delighted Linda will be taking over from me,' said Mr Storey.

'She has played a large part with me in making the school what it is today.'

l Past parents who would like to contribute towards Mr Storey's retirement gift should send their money to the school (including any '˜best wishes' messages) marked for the attention of Mrs Slinger, or call in to the school office. Cheques should be made payable to Rose Green Junior School.