Bruce Guthrie, Head Teacher at Bishop Barrington Sports With Mathematics College in Bishop Auckland, is to retire at the end of term after 35 years at the school.
Mr Guthrie joined the faculty in 1973 as a science teacher. He was later promoted to Deputy Head and became
Head Teacher in 2003.
The school was granted specialist sports college status, with maths as the supporting subject, in 2006 and has made rapid progress under his stewardship.
Ofsted school inspectors described the school as ‘good with outstanding features’ when they visited in 2007.
Mr Guthrie said, “I have loved my years in Bishop Barrington and I am immensely proud of the progress made by the school. This can be attributed to an outstanding staff and the best pupils in the world.
“Because of this, I am certain that this will continue into the future.”
Born in Spennymoor, he was educated at Cockton Hill School and King James 1 Grammar School in Bishop Auckland. He followed in the teaching footsteps of his father, Harold, former head teacher at Cockton Hill Junior School.
After graduating from University, he worked for over two years at Plessey in Nottingham, before taking up his first teaching post at a school in the city, prior to joining Barrington School.
Mr Guthrie, whose wife, Joyce is manager of the Oxfam charity shop in Barnard Castle, intends to continue to pursue his other interests in education during his retirement.
He added, “I am also looking forward to enjoying spending time with two lively young grandsons, Daniel and Benjamin.”
Mr Guthrie’s son, Stuart, works in the electoral office at Camden Council in London, and his daughter, Helen, works for Connections.
Mr Ray Smith, Chairman of the Governors of Bishop Barrington School, said, “We are sorry to be losing our Head Teacher, Bruce Guthrie, who will retire at the end of this term. Bishop Barrington School has been most fortunate to have Bruce as Head Teacher for the last five years of his 35 year spell at the school.
“Since becoming Head he has seen many changes and he has been the driving force behind most of them. We now have a wonderful, modern Sports Hall, have achieved Specialist Sports With Mathematics College status and have seen exam results improve year on year.
“As a result of his leadership, the school now has a real sense of purpose and ambition, a wonderful caring environment and a clear direction. He will be greatly missed by all at the school and we wish him a long and happy retirement.”
Mrs Jackie Gent, Deputy Head Teacher, will be Acting Head from Easter. Mrs Gent joined Bishop Barrington School in September, 1981.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
Please inform Bruce that I wish him well in his retirement. I am glad to learn that he has been of great value to your school. I met him for the last time 38 years ago.
yours,
Dr. J-M. Bassett