Dear Parents,

I would like to welcome you all back to the start of another new year at Grendon; one that we know will be just as busy and successful as ever! We hope that 2026 will be a good one for you and your family.

I would like to start the year, however, by sharing some news of my own. Many of you will know that I have been at Grendon for a long time… a very long time! After 33 wonderful years, and much thought, I have taken the decision that this will be my final year at Grendon. I will take early retirement at the end of the Summer term in July 2026. Grendon will have a new Head Teacher in place to lead the way, ready and prepared for September 2026. I feel that the time is now right for me to step away and for school to continue the journey to further improvement.

This has not been an easy decision. Grendon always has been far more than a place of work for me. It has been a community, a family and a source of immense pride throughout my long career. I am privileged that for the last 6 years, I have had the opportunity to lead Grendon as Head Teacher. I am very proud of all that we have achieved together, through the most challenging of times – who knew that a global pandemic was around the corner?! I always say at induction meetings that the best part of my job is getting to know you and your children; watching them grow, learn, develop and begin to really believe that ‘We Can’. This is never truer than now. I have genuinely loved every minute.

I am very aware that all of this is some time away. I have purposely given our Governing Board as much notice as possible, in order for a rigorous recruitment process and a robust transition period to happen during the Spring and Summer terms. My purpose in delivering this news to you so early is to ensure that you hear this news from me directly. The recruitment procedure will begin shortly, and I didn’t want to risk the news leaking from another source as adverts go live.

The Governing Board will keep you updated about the arrangements for my successor as the year progresses. In the meantime, it is very much business as usual. We have a lot of work to get through and many goals to achieve before the end of the Summer term. I know that you will continue to support us all with that.

I am not going to discuss this in depth with children at this point; the timescale is too wide and succession plans not yet in place. I will take the time in the Summer term to ensure that they understand and are well prepared for this change.

I wanted to finish by thanking you all for your partnership, trust, encouragement and unwavering support over the years. Without this, we would not be anywhere near as successful as we have been. We have really shown that together “We Can” and I know that this will continue into the future. Grendon thrives because of our strong community and I know that this will continue long after I step back. I look forward to hearing about this from afar - I will never really leave Grendon completely!

With my very best wishes,

Mrs Ridley