'I can't imagine life without it!': Wolverhampton headteacher and deputy retire together

Head Sarah Fisher and deputy head Sharon Johnson marked their last day at Newbridge Preparatory School, on Newbridge Crescent, Wolverhampton, together after a combined 20 years of working there.

Mrs Fisher started out in her career in 1988 at St John’s C of E Primary School in Swindon, Dudley, before moving on to Perton First School in 1990.

After nine years there, she moved over to Tettenhall College where she was head of The Drive School, the former infant school, before taking on the role of headteacher at the independently-run Newbridge Prep in 2012.

The 58-year-old said she had always wanted to be a teacher and would even save up her pocket money as a child to buy classroom registers from The Midland Educational, a former school supply shop at the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton, and pretend to teach her teddy bears.

To mark the end of her time at Newbridge Prep, she threw a disco for the youngsters and had a dedicated assembly attended by past and present staff members and pupils, her husband, Barrie, and mum, Judith.

And there was even a special video message from her two daughters, Aimée and Chloë, who has followed in her mum's footsteps and embarked on a career in teaching.

Mrs Fisher, who lives in Codsall, said: "It felt like yesterday that I started my training, it was something I always wanted to do. I never thought about doing anything else and I never have so I just can't process what life will be like without it.

"My headship has always been about relationships with the children. If you respect the children for who they are and treat them as individuals, then you can't go far wrong."

Alongside Newbridge being crowned independent preparatory school of the year by The Sunday Times in 2020, Mrs Fisher said the highlight of her career has been making a difference in the pupils' lives.

Getting emotional, she added: "The highlights of my career is when a child learns to read that you never thought would, the child that tells the time that you never thought would get it – it is the small things that make the difference.

"[Being named] prep school of the year was probably the pinnacle of my career but the highlights are actually when a child runs at you and says 'Mrs Fisher, have you seen my writing'."

Mrs Fisher said she will looks forward to spending time with family during her retirement but will still continue in her role as an inspector for the Independent School Inspectorate and various volunteering efforts.

She will officially start her retirement on August 31 when Nicky Burrows-Berry will take over her role at the school.

The last day of the summer term was also the close of a chapter for deputy head, Sharon Johnson, who has retired after eight years in her post.

The 55-year-old said: "It was quite an emotional day because it is a small school – it is a family community where everyone knows everyone.

"I had a lovely send off. My family prepared a retirement party too which included all of my family, friends and work colleagues so it has been quite an emotional time.

"I will definitely miss it, it is not just a job it is a way of life, the hours we put in, the extras that we do those families are worth it."

Mrs Johnson, who lives in Wombourne, said she is now looking forward to spending time with family including her husband, Phil, daughter, Carrie, son, Edward, and two grandchildren Charlie and Chester.