Three teachers to leave

1:56pm Monday 28th April 2008

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By Alex Love »

WITH nearly 100 years of service between them, it will be the end of an era when three senior teachers at Farmor's School leave later this year.

Acting head of English David Hopes, assistant head teacher Hugh Dudley and deputy head teacher Mike Francis will be leaving the Fairford school in July.

Mr Hopes, 61, was the first of the trio to arrive in 1971 and was head of English for 23 years. In his 38 years at the school he has seen many changes, both social and simply the fact the school has since doubled in size, he says.

He told the Standard: "The fundamental nature of the job hasn't changed at all. You've still got 30 kids in a room and you have to do something to interest and inspire them."

From September he will be teaching English at the school on a part-time basis and plans to write a novel.

Mr Dudley, 60, joined the year after Mr Hopes and has enjoyed 11 different roles within the school during his time there.

"We've both been very fortunate in that we've been promoted internally and got to the top without having to change schools," he said.

"I came here as the junior member. I've gone from being the youngest teacher at this school to one of the oldest. It's been good fun, I've loved it."

He will continue working with the University of Gloucestershire's teacher training course.

With his free time, he plans to travel and - like Mr Hopes - is considering writing a novel.

Mr Francis, 55, who was appointed as deputy headteacher in 1990, will also continue to work with Gloucestershire University's teacher training programme as a course leader.

"There's a lot of happy memories," he said. "It's the relationships with people I'll miss and the day to day interaction - that's what teaching is about."

From September he will be taking on another role as chief executive officer of Adfecto which provide training for newly qualified teachers in Gloucestershire and nationally.

All three say their fondest memories have been to watch students progress and grow academically and personally.

Headteacher Anne Stokes said replacing the trio was going to be impossible: "They bring so much experience, knowledge of the school, knowledge of the local community," she said. "They're well known, well respected - they will be sorely missed."