Seven retiring headteachers have been recognised by the Mayor of Oldham for their dedication and support to children across the borough.

A civic reception took place in the Mayor’s Parlour on Monday afternoon to acknowledge their achievements and services to education.

The Mayor also gave special thanks to the headteachers’ efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic – the most challenging and disruptive period to children’s education in Oldham since World War II.

Those recognised included Beever Primary School’s Greg Oates, Damien Harrison of St Aiden and Oswald, and Margaret Johnson of Thornham St James’.

Alison Leigh of Delph Primary School, Sue Callaghan from Christ Church C of E in Denshaw, and Pat Stennett of Broadfield Primary School, also attended however retiring Lara Beaumont of Crompton Primary School was unable to make it. 

“Our schools are nothing without the sheer hard work and dedication of our headteachers,” said the Mayor, Cllr Zahid Chauhan OBE.

“They give their absolute all to lead our schools in the right direction and they work extremely hard alongside our teachers to ensure our children and young people receive the very best education.

“I am delighted to be in a position where I can pay my sincere and personal thanks to them all for the role they have played in the future generations of our borough, and I wish them all a wonderful and well-earned retirement.”

In total, the seven headteachers have given a combined total of more than 161 years to education in Oldham.

Greg Oates served 24 years as Head at Beever Primary School, the same amount of time as Damien Harrison who, during his time at St Aiden and Oswald, saw many of his own deputies follow in his footsteps to become headteachers.

Pat Stennett gave 17 years at Broafield, a school that includes 25 different spoken languages, while Margaret Johnson, who first started as a newly qualified teacher at Thornham Primary School before becoming headteacher, gave 38 years.

Alison Leigh headed up Delph Primary School for 20 years, while Sue Callaghan was headteacher at Christ Church Denshaw from September 2005. 

Lara Beaumont gave seven years at Crompton following eight years as a deputy at Glodwick Primary School.