It is with great sadness and pride that I write this post. I work in a remarkable school - we do not get everything right, but we give an educational offer to our children that is a model for where education should be. We focus on developing skills, attributes, competencies and knowledge while giving our children the widest range of experiences we can. We have invested into learning spaces and technology which is pedagogically smart. We work incredibly hard in a normal, comprehensive, working class area to provide every opportunity we can afford to our children. In short, Cramlington Learning Village is a truly outstanding school. You need proof? The last three whole school OFSTEDs have been outstanding, our thematic Science inspection in OCtober was outstanding. We have 200+ delegates coming to a conference next week which is run by staff at the school to model what is actually going on in our classrooms.
This did not happen by accident. There is a plan and the man with the plan was Derek Wise our Head teacher. Derek tragically passed away yesterday but I know he is in a better place. He was an educational visionary who worked tirelessly to create a school which he believed would make the life chances of the children in his care better. He disseminated that vision and inspired many to follow his lead. He was not always easy to work for as his meticulous attention to detail and his incredible work ethic demand a huge commitment of time and energy by every person who works in the school but because we believe in his vision, we do it. He may no longer be with us in body, but his spirit will live on through the school he has created and we will ensure to continue to develop his vision for education. On a personal level I feel like I have lost a mentor but at the same time I can realise that I have learned more over the four short years I have known him than I would have learned from someone else having worked with them for twenty. I only hope that when it is my time to join him in heaven that I will leave a legacy which is a hundredth the importance of that which Derek leaves us.
Rest in peace.
Sorry to hear this and I know my Headmaster will be sorry too - he and Derek worked together.
Posted by: Nick Dennis | June 18, 2010 at 04:25 AM
Beautiful Chris! Derek was also my mentor and leader, after the first 8 years of my career I can honestly say that the doors I walk through in my working life are all of his crafting. I doubt I will ever have more professional respect for any other.
Posted by: Si Brown | June 18, 2010 at 05:59 AM
There are not enough words to describe Derek but he leaves a legacy behind through his vision and I for one will miss him and remember the time he spent with me. Cramlington will not be the same without you Derek and we will try to ensure all your hard work is used to take us to the next level. Watch out for those birds in heaven and may you rest in peace.
Posted by: Paul wardle | June 19, 2010 at 01:37 AM
What a great eulogy, Chris.
I was fortunate enough to be at CHS as Derek was building the school into what it is now. I have happy memories of working with so many good people there and found that Derek was also very supportive of my work for justice with Amnesty International and other charities. I also met his lovely wife who went on before him and whom I am sure he sorely missed.
I am really sad to hear that Derek died recently -May he rest in peace.
He certainly did his best to serve education and our young people, God bless him.
Gerry O'Hanlon, Director of Learning, Global Dimension, Academy 360. Sunderland.
Posted by: Gerry O'Hanlon | July 30, 2010 at 08:37 AM