Longest serving Stourport High School teacher retires

Maths teacher and curriculum strategy manager Wendy Cavendish has never looked back after walking into the school as a newly qualified teacher in 1981.

Originally from the north east, whilst on teaching practice in Darlington she was told she would never work south of Leeds due to her accent.

But her first and only post was at Stourport and her now mellowed northern tones were never a barrier.

Including temporary heads, she’s worked under eight headteachers during her four decades and said it “feels strange” to be leaving this summer.

Mrs Cavendish, a keen netball player, married and raised two children and will continue living in Kidderminster after her retirement, when she hopes to have time to relax.

The 61-year-old, who frequently finds she is teaching the children of past students, said: “There have been a lot of changes to the school building and environment over the years and major changes in the technology used in teaching.”

Principal Sara Peace, head of maths Richard Higginson, maths teachers Stephen Williams, Wendy Cavendish , Karen Perks, Jack Rhodes-Jones, Liz Grove, Alan Bennett and Sharon Hinds

She added: “I didn’t plan to spend my whole teaching career in one school, it’s just how it worked out. I’ve enjoyed working here and didn’t particularly want to move anywhere else.”

The last year has been a major challenge for Mrs Cavendish, as it has for all staff and students, but she has had to re-write the school timetable three times in the face of the pandemic and lockdowns.

Her final task was writing the new school timetable and making sure all the student timetables are ready for September.

Principal Sara Peace said: “Her longevity is testament to her dedication and commitment to teaching and to the generations of students who have passed through her classrooms.

“Her knowledge of her subject and the school is vast and she’ll be very much missed.

"We wish her a well-deserved long and happy retirement.”