The former headteacher has said he is ‘forever grateful’ for his career in education
A headteacher who worked with pupils in Cambridgeshire for more than 50 years is retiring. Eric Winstone started out as a PE teacher in the 1970s before he became headteacher of Bushfield Community College in Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, in 2001.
From there, he led the school through significant development until 2014, including overseeing its transition into Ormiston in 2009. He later became the school’s executive principal, and helped the school to achieve specialist college and centre of excellence statuses.
Alongside his leadership roles at Bushfield, he has also served as chair of the Peterborough Secondary Headteachers’ Association and played a significant role in the local authority’s children’s services board.
Mr Winstone is now retiring after more than 50 years in education. Mr Winstone said: “In over 50 years of being involved in education, I have never once regretted my decision to enter this profession. Starting out as a PE teacher in 1974 and ending my career as Executive Principal was a wonderful journey which enabled me to work with some wonderful teachers, leaders, support staff and governors.
“In my time, I have had the pleasure of working at some excellent schools and have had the very best time over the last 15 years as Principal of Bushfield Community School and then Ormiston Bushfield Academy. Building and developing the Academy was the highlight of my career and I have seen the Ormiston Academies Trust develop and expand to become one of the leading academy trusts in the country.
“My closing years as Chair of Governors at Ormiston Meadows enabled me to continue to be involved in education and pass on my experience to developing leaders. Most of all, I will savour the contact with over 5,000 young people that I have had the pleasure to teach and support through their secondary education over the years.
“Educating young people is a lifelong journey and I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to make a difference.”
Mr Winstone will attend his final governing body meeting at Ormiston Meadows next month before he officially retires.
Tom Rees, chief executive officer of Ormiston Academies Trust said: “Eric’s contribution to education in Peterborough and beyond has been immense. He has positively influenced the lives of thousands of young people, supported generations of staff and leaders, and played a pioneering role in bringing Bushfield into Ormiston Academies Trust, where it continues to achieve highly.
“His legacy continues to be felt across our schools today, and we are hugely grateful for everything he has done for our trust and the communities we serve. We wish him the very best in his much-deserved retirement.”
Kelly Moore, current principal at Ormiston Meadows Academy, praised Mr Winstone for giving an “extraordinary amount” to education throughout this career. She added: “We have been incredibly fortunate to benefit from his wisdom, guidance and unwavering support at Ormiston Meadows Academy.
“His experience, integrity and commitment to young people have made a lasting impact on our community, and we wish him every happiness in his retirement.”
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