SADDLEWORTH SCHOOL executive headteacher Matthew Milburn reflected on the ‘enormous privilege’ of leading the institution as he prepares to hand over the reins.
Mr Milburn, who has been in change since 2011, will leave at the end of the summer term, with his final day in the role coming on GCSE results day.
“It has a difficult decision to leave the people and school behind but there are a number of reasons,” he explained.
“I’ve been at school or college every September since 1969. A lot of my peers had time off before university or work but I didn’t – so I’d finally like to take a gap year!
“I was a head at a large secondary school in Barnsley before I joined Saddleworth, so I’ve been a headteacher for 17 years, which is more than half my professional career.
“There are personal reasons too – my youngest son finishes university in May and my wife’s parents are both in Leicestershire so we plan to relocate that way to Rutland.”
He added: “Leading a school is an enormous privilege and it has been a real joy to be headteacher here.
“There have been so many highlights that feed the soul – it’s the best job in the world for that.
“To work with young people is life affirming. They often get a bad press but the majority are inspirational and give you a spring in your step every day.
“You get to see them grow and develop in front of your eyes and that is hugely empowering.
“I used to teach at Breezehill and some my former pupils now have children at Saddleworth School – it does make me feel old but it is lovely when they remember you!”
Mr Milburn also picked out sporting successes along with musical spectacles, including the popular annual school show, as some of the pupils’ inspiring achievements.
He continued: “We have a very knowledge-based curriculum but I feel it is important they learn how to understand people and relate learning to the world we live in.
“Young people not having knowledge of themselves and others contributes to pressures and issues.
“I absolutely believe we have to empower children to have a voice and that is why we do things like pupil driven reviews with families and staff.”
He added he is pleased to be working with eight local primary schools through the Dovestone Learning Partnership to help children develop from reception right through to higher education.
And he named one of the school’s biggest achievements as never having permanently excluded a child.
“It is a great credit to the staff who have been so inclusive in the way they have worked with some children who have exhibited challenging behaviour, many of whom have had difficult early life experiences,” he said.
“We are blessed with an amazing team. We have 180 people who all contribute in their own way and give the children the best chance to flourish that we can.
“It is not about me – it is about the whole team”
Looking ahead, Mr Milburn welcomed the building of a new school in Diggle, which is set to be open in September 2021.
“We have a fantastic new school with everything under one roof. It will be a fabulous community resource as well,” he said.
“Oldham Council has committed to supplying brand new furniture in every classroom.
“Some will come here and we will take it over with us when we’re ready so children who will not go to the new school will still have the chance to benefit from the project.
“The future looks incredibly bright and I wish everyone connected with the school the very best.”
A new headteacher is expected to be appointed in March and complete a transition period before taking over in September.
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