Gainford says farewell to long-serving head

GAINFORD Primary School last week bade farewell to its popular headteacher of the past 15 years.

HOWARD’S WAY: Chris Riley and Howard Blindt with
pupils from Gainford Primary School. As first reported on the
Teesdale Mercury's front page in April, Mr Blindt is stepping
down because he says the alternative would have been making
other staff redundant due to government cutbacks for rural
primary schools 

Howard Blindt left the school on Friday, July 18, with fond memories of a school with a great community spirit.

He said goodbye to pupils and parents during a school leavers’ ceremony at St Mary’s Church, in the village, on the Tuesday morning before his departure.

The headteacher said: “I have so many fond memories of Gainford CE Primary School. I will certainly remember the 15 groups of year six children, just like the children were sharing their memories and dreams with us earlier in the service.”

Mr Blindt arrived at the school in May 2002, having come from secondment at Howden-le-Wear while working at Crook Primary School, where he was deputy headteacher.

Before that Mr Blindt, who studied psychology and zoology at Durham University, worked at Rainton Primary School. The 54-year-old said: “It is a deprived area and it was quite challenging. A lot of my views about education were formed there. It was really good for me.”

As for teaching, it was not something he initially wanted to do, but said it was something that “grew” on him.

He added: “I enjoy the positivity of young people who are just setting out in their lives.

“What is important to me is that they leave to go on to be something better than they otherwise would have been without the impact of going to this school.”

Under Mr Blindt’s guidance the school has consistently been rated good by Ofsted despite the benchmark being raised significantly. The Church of England rates the school as outstanding.

Part of the reason he remained with the school for so long, he said, was because it is part of a vibrant village community.

He added: “I feel sad that I had to make the decision in the financial interest of the school but I feel it has been a privilege to be at this school.”

Although admitting being a bit apprehensive about leaving because he has no new job to go to, he said he would enjoy some time visiting new places in his motorhome, doing lots of gardening and taking long walks in the countryside.

He added: “I am looking forward to keeping in touch with the folk at our school and making sure that everyone is still ‘learning happily together on life’s journey’.”

Perhaps a testament to Mr Blindt’s impact on children’s lives is that a little nine-year-old girl called Alison who he taught at Rainton Primary School all those years ago – she is now the headteacher of that same school.