How to have a positive and fulfilling retirement as a school leader

Former headteacher John Gadd shares how he has enjoyed a fulfilling, positive retirement while staying connected to the profession.

Articles / 3 mins read

Leaving school headship for retirement

Firstly, I acknowledge that I am very fortunate. I’d been a primary school headteacher for 26 years and a teacher for 38 in total, had enjoyed (most of) it, and knew that I didn’t want to do it anymore.

Hopefully, I’d made the decision to ‘retire’ from headship before others decided that I ought to, I’d worked with a brilliant financial adviser for a number of years who’d helped me plan my post-work years, and I was healthy.

Ensuring a successful leadership to retirement transition

After informing my amazing leadership team & co-Chairs of Governors of my decision in December 2021 I was surprised by how important I found it that my successor be brilliant.

Again, I was fortunate in that my school’s Governing Body allowed me to be involved (appropriately) in the process, and consequently they appointed a phenomenal next Headteacher.

The final term and the start of retirement

My last day of term as headteacher in July 2022 was followed by what felt like a normal summer holiday, including a ‘formal’ handover to my successor halfway through. And then … nothing can feel better than going away on holiday on the first day of the autumn term (after 38 years of no term-time holidays). Sue, my wife, and I headed off on an amazing six-week road trip around Scotland.

Don’t just focus on what you want to do but how you want to feel.

Adjusting to life after full-time work in a school

On our return my ‘what next?’ really started.

A friend of mine (not in education) had warned me of doing too much of what you love straight away – he loves golf, started playing three times a week and then found when he wanted to do other things he didn’t want to let his various golfing buddies down.

So, I stayed on as a Governor at my local primary school and on the committee of my NAHT Branch, joined a gym, bought a new bike, and set to on my allotment.

Building a meaningful retirement after school leadership

As time has gone on (I’m now two years into retirement) I’ve steadily added areas of interest – I’m now a Governor in two primary schools and a Trustee of a MAT.

I host the annual West Sussex Leadership Conference; and I’m the (very part-time) Locality Lead Director for West Sussex’s Teaching School Hub.

Importantly (I think) I’ve entrusted a close group of former colleagues to tell me when my time is up in these latter roles – I definitely don’t want to be the old ex-headteacher who stays around too long.

Retirement insights and tips from a retired head teacher

A number of things have struck me as I’ve grown into my retirement – how I had lived in my community for over 20 years but wasn’t really a part of it; that I now much prefer voluntary roles to paid ones.

And that you have to work at keeping in touch with people but it’s so worth it.

I’m not a hobbyist & I like being physically active – so my days reflect this – I’m a Churchyard Gardener, I’m now on the Allotments’ Association committee.

I volunteer for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions as a helper, I play golf and tennis each week. It takes me twice as long to get anywhere locally now as I always see old and new friends to chat to.

So, the message – if you’re lucky enough to be able to, is to do what a very wise & wonderful woman (Jaz Ampaw-Farr) said to me – in retirement don’t just focus on what you want to do but how you want to feel.

Free retirement guide for school leaders in collaboration with National Association of Head Teachers:

About the author

John Gadd is a retired primary school headteacher and teacher. He worked in the education sector for a total of 38 years. He is now a Governor at his local primary school and he on the committee of his local National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) branch.