Dear Parents/ Carers,

Most of you won't know this, but my mum used to teach here in the late 80s and early 90s. Her name is Mrs Dowsett. She was here when this new school was built and the old Victorian building was demolished. I remember coming to help her as a teenager on any day that I wasn't in school myself. I vividly remember meeting Mrs O'Keefe when I was about 19 years old, and she had just started working as a TA in my mum's class in Year 1. I loved the atmosphere at St John's even then- so many years ago. It's always been a special place and it's the school that made me aspire to be a teacher. I have been honoured to work as the Headteacher: something I could never have believed back when I was volunteering as a teenager!

I have loved meeting you- the parents, and enjoyed seeing your children flourish. I work with a team of truly dedicated staff that treat your children as if they were their own. This has been my dream job. At our school, all children are valued equally and we put provision in place to ensure that all children can flourish. We have love at the heart of our school. But not all schools are the same, and not all children are as lucky.

I have spent my years in Headship, fighting to ensure every child gets what they need to succeed. My team and I have fought for funding for special needs, and set up nurture provision within our school to help those that find school stressful or scary. I have two children of my own who are Autistic, and are both suffering with high levels of anxiety. They are not happy in school and do not feel secure or loved. Sadly, no professional is fighting to get them what they need, and I am therefore having to resign from my position, so that I can go and fight for my own children's education.

I shall be leaving at Easter, so I will be here for many more weeks, right up until the end of March. Next week, the Governing Board will advertise for a new Headteacher so that they can start straight after the Easter holidays. As soon as I know more, I will let you know.

This has been a heart breaking decision to make because I literally love what I do. I have the best job in the world: serving the children and wider community of St John's School. However, I intend to spend the next weeks ensuring that the school is ready for the transition to a new Headteacher, and ensuring that the excellent work of the staff can continue.

Thank you for all your support.

Best wishes,

Mrs Seymour