SEVERAL senior members of staff will not be returning to Queen Katherine School, Kendal, for the start of the new academic year.

Headteacher Gareth Roscoe has left as he takes up a headship in Barnstaple, North Devon. He joined the school in 2001 from Kent as head of ICT. He was then promoted to deputy head before taking over when Stephen Wilkinson was made executive head of the multi academy trust.

Mr Roscoe said he looks back with particular pleasure at the development of ICT, the expansion of the school and new buildings on the campus, an “outstanding” Ofsted judgement in 2011 and the successful integration of Sandgate.

Another major figure to leave is Cathy Earle who started her teaching career in Fiji on Voluntary Service Overseas in 1976. She arrived at QKS in 1995 as head of sixth form and later became one of the deputies.

She considers that working with16+ students has been “a privilege”, especially being able to be a formative influence in the development of young people’s lives. Highlights of her career at QKS have included the World Challenge events to India, Bolivia and Kenya, as well as going up Jack’s Rake in Langdale after a visit to a work experience placement in Langdale.

Also leaving is Pauline Bell, a member of the Senior Leadership Team, who has been at QKS since 2000, mainly teaching science. She has also been in charge of child development.

Another long-serving member of staff who is taking retirement is Dick Forsyth, who joined the school as head of history 28 years ago. He has overseen 24 history GCSE trips to Europe and seven sixth form trips. As well as these, he lists his appearances in the sixth form pantomime as being among the most enjoyable moments of his career. He has also greatly enjoyed his current post, which involves staff induction into the school, including mentoring newly-qualified teachers.

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Kate Hampshire joined the school in 1999, teaching psychology, having previously been a bank manager with the NatWest. She lists as her career highlights travelling with students to the Arctic, as well as “seeing people do well.” She has ambitious travel plans in the future, including New Zealand, France, Japan, the USA, as well as hoping to develop her own sewing business.

Lynne Woods, who has taught physics and science at the school since 2001, says she is not retiring but is just 'changing tack.' She says that she has enjoyed working with young people and the support of her colleagues, and looks forward to spending more time with her family.

MORE TOP STORIES: Emmet McGauran, who has left as head of citizenship, says that some of his favourite memories have been spending time with students outside the classroom, such as on visits to Conway, and watching students shine in events like the Social Enterprise Challenge. He said that his classroom experience had repeatedly shown him what varied, interesting, weird and wonderful students the school has.

"They remind me every day why I work with kids instead of boring adults!” he said.

The school has also thanked Lucy Winters for her long service as a science teacher and Karen West, who joined 10 years ago, and spent a period as head of music. Also moving on are Kathryn Clare, Tina Alderson, Georgina Anderson and Mel Whitmore.