Hardenhuish School headteacher retires after 27 years

The 61-year-old had been headteacher since 2010 but joined the school in 1989 as head of science after working at two schools in London and one in both Bath and Bristol.

“I never thought about being a teacher until after I graduated from Imperial College London in physics,” said Mrs Hatherell.

“Becoming headteacher also wasn’t part of the plan but I absolutely relished the challenge. It wasn’t daunting, I’d been deputy head for ten years before that.

“It’s this school I wanted to be headteacher for.

“I would still love to do the job, there’s nothing about the job that I don’t like doing except that I’m much older now.

“The school deserves someone with energy, enthusiasm and I’m frightened of hanging on too long but I love this school.

“I bleed green and this is my school.

“The favourite bit of the job is the children. We have the most fantastic kids and I want all of them to do their very best and achieve their ambitions.”

A leaving event was held for Mrs Hatherell last Friday at the school, in Hardenhuish Lane, where she received messages of support and thanks from fellow teachers, parents and children.

Mrs Hatherell – who has been married to her husband Adrian for 34 years and has a daughter Zoe – will now work in Gloucester as an access and bridleways officer.

Lisa Percy will now become headteacher of the school, having spent the past six years as deputy headteacher, having worked at John Bentley School in Calne and a school in Somerset before that.

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher from as young as I can remember, I like working with people,” said Mrs Percy, who has been married to her husband Christian for 20 years and has two children, both of whom will be joining Hardenhuish next year.

“It’s been absolutely fantastic working with Jan and it’s a very special place. Something about the school gets into you and there’s something very unique about Hardenhuish.

“I don’t feel apprehensive and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”