Oxford House School headteacher has the 'Golding' touch

Oxford House Nursery and Preparatory School is an institution in Colchester.

Founded by Sylvia Spendlove in 1959, it began as Little Folks Nursery, on Wellesley Road, before moving to larger premises four years later.

With the new location came a name change and by this point the range of school pupils had extended to include those of nursery, infant and junior school age.

Mrs Spendlove chose one of her two children, son Paul, to become joint principal in 1968.

The duo remained in charge until 2006 when the school became part of the Cognita Schools Group.

Now, situated on Lexden Road, where it has been since 1984, the site resembles a welcoming family house.

The Spendloves established the principles of inspirational teaching, high expectations and etiquette at the school and retiring principal Kate Golding has upheld that vision for 17 years.

Its reigning motto, Joy in achievement, are words she has worked by as a former teacher at the school, where she has been headteacher since 2008.

The approach to learning and life was also what led her to send all four of her children there – the youngest now being 24 and the eldest aged 32.

She took 16 years out of teaching to focus on being a mother but still later returned to Oxford House.

“It was simple,” she said.

“I liked the caring, nurturing feel of the school and it was family-run.

“But not only that, they put emphasis on manners and behaviour and good quality of teaching.

“These are aspects which mould us all.

“My youngest was seven when I began teaching here in 1999 and as headteacher I wanted to keep the family-led traditions the Spendloves started because it’s a really important part of our school.

“The majority of our pupils have been with us since two-and-half-years-old and will stay for about nine years in total.

“I just love the place.”

Mrs Golding, 61, trained as a Maths teacher and taught in Mersea for five years before leaving to start a family and settling in the village of Tolleshunt D’Arcy.

It was never Mrs Golding’s intention to one day assume a leadership role at the school, which has 158 children on its role and where fees are up to £3,000 a term.

She has continued to teach and one of her biggest career challenges as head has been to balance leadership with teaching three to four classes each week.

She said: “I refused to give them up when I took the job because I came into teaching to teach.

“Doing both is hard work and means long days but if you believe in what you do, you just get on with it, so I don’t think about what I might be sacrificing elsewhere in my life.

“Plus, I believe it helps me to understand what my staff are experiencing.

“As an independent school we’ve fortunately not been affected by Government changes. You find out what works and keep it.”

This common sense approach, as well as a strong academic team, is why Oxford House recently celebrated an outstanding Schools Inspection Service rating.

It is a first for the school under Mrs Golding’s governance and an opportunity to praise the crew which steer the ship.

She said: “It’s taken this long to get the school to the place we wanted it to be, but it’s recognition of everyone’s hard work, in the classroom and behind the scenes.

“It’s also an amazing reward for me given my retirement.

“The staff and children make the school. You can’t do anything on your own, you have to work as a team.”

Current deputy head Sarah Leyshon will move the school forward as interim headteacher.

She has worked at the school for more than 10 years.

Despite some parents feeling concerned about the change, Mrs Golding is quick to assure them there is nothing to fear.

“The school will carry on because it’s in a healthy state and Mrs Leyshon believes in it, as do the staff,” she said.

“She knows what the school is like as well as myself.

“After 29 years associated with this place, yes, it’s going to be a change, but on the other hand, I’m leaving it at a stage where I’m proud of what it’s become.”

Mrs Golding, whose husband Basil, 63, has a farm, has not planned her retirement past spending time with her family, dedicating more time to gardening and walking.

During the summer is a busier time on the farm, she explained, so Basil may be occupied doing other things.

She added: “I’ll miss teaching and the reward of just seeing the children achieve because as a teacher, that’s what you want most.

“I’ve had all sorts of highs here, but I’ll also miss the support of my staff.

"They’re incredible and have been a real joy to be around.”