Much-loved headteacher retires from Florence Melly

Ken Heaton has retired as headteacher of Florence Melly Community Primary School, Walton.

Ken was due to retire at the beginning of the Easter break, however, due to the pandemic and the school being designated as a hub school for the city, he worked up until 30 April to ensure a smooth transition.

With over 40 years’ experience in the education sector, Ken has worked across the country and internationally, however, for the last four years of his career he returned to his roots and took on the headship at the school where he was once a pupil.

Ken ensured that the school became a sanctuary for people of any faith or none at all. Explaining and embracing all faiths, backgrounds, beliefs and cultures was central in his view that all pupils are treated with respect and fairness with the right to feel valued and safe.

Together with his vision to create a modern, pupil led approach to learning, Ken worked tirelessly to instil into governors, teachers and pupils that the life chances of everybody associated with the school should only be dictated by their ambition, motivation and tenacity.

The school was previously judged as ‘requiring improvement’ on two consecutive occasions but thanks to Ken and his dedicated team, in 2018, following an Ofsted inspection, it was declared ‘outstanding’, much to the delight of the entire Florence Melly school community.

Deputy headteacher Aaron Leach will take on the position of acting headteacher until it is safe to continue the recruitment process for the headship.