Page 45

Reader's rant

Retirement? It isn’t all bad!

The word ‘retirement’ was not in my vocabulary until a fresh-faced year 7, eager to impress on his first day, tapped me on the shoulder and said: “You taught my grandad, Miss”. I gave him my well perfected stare that, roughly translated, said: “You have just broken the school’s behaviour code and this conversation is over,” but he enthusiastically continued by offering a name that was all too familiar to me. As I looked at the child his face transformed into that of his grandad, whom I had engaged in battle on many occasions, and I knew resistance was useless.

I told some colleagues about the conversation. I could see the pity in their eyes. “How long have you been at this school now?” asked one and I resisted the opportunity to say “too long from this morning onwards!” as the chant “grandad, grandad, grandad” tortured my brain with its lethal message.

The concept of retirement grew, a snowball gathering terrifying momentum, and by the end of the day it was final. I had decided and when I passed the fresher grandchild in the corridor later I gave him my well perfected smile.

My hasty decision was confirmed in a demanding meeting about target setting after school with a deputy who’d always refused to take no for an answer. I agreed to all the demands for the first time in my role as head of English and as I left a voice in my head whispered: “Don’t worry – you won’t be here next year.”

After 30+ years of doing a job that had been my life for as long as I could remember, had provided me with a generous living (pre-cuts), had put me in the heart attack at-risk category, had driven me crazy with its demands but euphoric with students’ achievements, had introduced me to thousands of wonderful, inspirational young people – that year 7 student had appeared out of nowhere, metaphorically dilating my nostrils and allowing the sweet smell of freedom to waft up them.

So where am I now? The word ‘grandad’ was the key word pre-retirement and the word ‘miss’ is the key word post-retirement. I enjoy my so-called freedom. I am now a lady who lunches, who can take holidays out of school holidays, read novels without dissecting them for A level, meet friends with two days’ notice, not two months, watch TV without guilt.

However, I miss the students shouting “Miss”, I miss the teaching, I miss the successes, I miss being ‘Miss’ to so many young students who trusted me to ensure that they achieved the grades they deserved.

Would I go back? Definitely not. Teaching demands energy, vision, commitment, drive, innovation and determination. So the Government should take heed of my final words. If it insists on making teachers teach until they are 68, when arthritis sets in, vision fades, hopes dim, ideas dry up, then what type of education will we be providing for future grandchildren? If I found the word ‘grandad’ scary, what will happen in the future when some bright eyed bushy tailed child utters the words: “Miss, you taught my great grandad!”

Anne Williams, Newcastle upon Tyne

 • See page 34 for more on retirement.

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