Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert hand delivered a card to wish Downlands Community School headteacher Rose Hetherton a happy retirement.

The MP visited the school in Hassocks to meet the Head who will be retiring this week after 7 years in the role and 26 years at the school.

Diana Hunt, Chair of Governors at the school, and Mrs Hetherton met Mr Herbert and took the opportunity to discuss local education matters during the visit.

Mrs Hetherton will be succeeded by current Deputy Headteacher Mark Wignall who takes over at the beginning of the next academic year, after the Summer holidays.

Mrs Hetherton said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed every one of my 26 years at Downlands and especially seeing the school on its improvement journey in recent years. It has been exciting but very rewarding, with the support of a happy, committed and highly professional staff, and an outstanding leadership team. Whilst I would have relished the challenge to take the school into its next exciting phase with the new build and increasing role, it may be the right time for an energetic, committed and passionate successor who ‘gets’ the school ethos to continue our exciting journey.

“I will miss everything about the school – the wonderful children who engage me every day with their amazing contributions, good humour and achievements; the parents who have been so supportive of our developments, a special mention to those parents who work tirelessly on the Downlands Association (PTA), and of course my outstanding staff and governing body. I feel I will be passing Downlands over to a new post holder in a very positive and healthy position.”

Mr Herbert said: “Rose has dedicated a remarkable 26 years to the school, and more recently has been a formidable headteacher, as I know when we met to discuss issues such as school funding. It is a wonderful record of service to one school and the community. I was delighted to be able to give Rose my card in person, and I wish her a very happy retirement”.

ENDS

Notes

1. Nick Herbert and Rose Hetherton at Downlands Community School.

MP wishes Downlands headteacher a happy retirement