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A fond farewell: Fiona Wood

After an incredible 35-year career at Netherton Moss Primary School, Bootle, retirement beckons for headteacher Fiona Wood, as she leaves a legacy of commitment, strong leadership, and a deep-rooted connection to the community.

As she reflects on her time at the school, Fiona fondly recalls her journey from a newly qualified teacher to an inspirational headteacher.

“I can honestly say that spending all my career at Netherton Moss has been the best thing!” she says. “I’ve made friends for life and have been part of the most wonderful second family.”

For Fiona, Netherton Moss has always been more than just a workplace – it’s been a second home. She never felt the urge to seek opportunities elsewhere, as the school, with its dedicated staff, supportive governors, and compassionate families, offered everything she needed to grow and thrive.

She adds: “Being at Netherton Moss with such a fantastic team has given me all the opportunities I needed to develop both as a teacher and a school leader.”

Fiona’s journey, however, was not without its challenges. One of the early hurdles she faced was declining student enrolment, coupled with severe budget cuts.

“We had difficult decisions to make in order to remain open,” she recalls. “But as a result of those decisions, we survived the cuts. Now, we have flourishing numbers and a nursery that’s full for September [2024].”

But Fiona acknowledges that financial pressure on schools is an ongoing concern.

Fiona adds: “The decline in real terms of budgets over the last decade still places many pressures on all schools and impacts what we can provide for children and families.”

The most recent challenge was, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic, and navigating this as a headteacher of a primary school is something that no one can prepare for.

“It was particularly stressful,” Fiona explains. “There was relentless pressure to keep everyone safe while providing education in various formats. It was a worrying time for everyone, and I wouldn’t wish that situation on anyone again.”

Throughout her career, Fiona’s educational philosophy has evolved, yet it has always focused on creating enriching, first-hand experiences for students.

Fiona comments: “I’ve always believed that the best way for children to learn is through first-hand experiences wherever possible, making learning memorable. Enabling them to read fluently for pleasure is key to opening doors to the future.”

Her vision of developing lifelong learners has been a driving force behind the school’s curriculum and ethos.

She continues: “Everyone should be encouraged to be lifelong learners and want to know more about the ever-changing world around them. The children we teach now will have a positive impact on how the world looks and operates in the years ahead.”

Looking back over the years, Fiona is filled with memories of the children who have passed through the school.

“Every year, I’m blown away by our children and their enthusiastic approach to all aspects of school life,” she says with pride. “Their love of books, the way they share their work with me, their care for our school environment, and their participation in lessons and clubs – it’s what makes the job so worthwhile.”

One moment that stands out for her are the annual whole-school performances.

Fiona shares: “Their faces light up with pride as they perform a dance or take part in a play in front of an audience. It’s such a joyful occasion and makes wonderful memories for all of us.”

For so many headteachers, one of the greatest joys of the role is when former pupils return to school, often as parents themselves.

“The most positive feedback comes from having so many children I taught, bring their own children to be educated at Netherton Moss,” she says.

She also cherishes the moments when former pupils stop her in the street to share memories of their school days.

Fiona adds: “They often tell me which story they remember being read – the first Harry Potter is always a favourite, or they reminisce about a performance they were in.”

Community involvement has always been at the heart of Fiona’s leadership. Under her guidance, Netherton Moss has become a hub for local activities, with the school regularly engaging in community projects.

“We like to feel that we are a school at the heart of our community,” she explains. “Our choir sings at the pensioners’ Christmas lunch, our eco-club helps at the community garden, and we’ve even supported the Netherton Community Grocery as part of the SMILE project.”

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