Retiring David: I’ve loved every minute (From Gazette)

Retiring David: I’ve loved every minute

6:00pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in Local News By Wendy Brading

David Young with Myland Primary School pupils

A RESPECTED and dedicated headteacher is retiring.

David Young was heading for a career as an accountant, but a job with a children’s holiday company changed his life – and he doesn’t regret a single moment.

Mr Young, who has been headteacher at Myland Community Primary School, in Colchester, for the past 17 years, said: “When I was 17, I got a job with the company which became PGL and I loved it so much my plans changed, much to the disgust of my grammar school.”

After his teacher training, Mr Young started work at a primary school in Eltham, south east London.

He became headteacher of a school in the Charlton area when he was 31.

But after his wife, Nina, gave birth to their daughter Rachel, they decided to move out of London.

“We liked the seaside and I applied for jobs at four schools, one in Essex and three in Dorset.

“We had never been to Essex before, but I was interviewed for the headship of Ramsey Primary School and got the offer before I had been to the other interviews, and I accepted.”

Mr Young went from the demands of an inner city primary school with 500 children to the village school with 120.

“London was light years ahead in terms of outlook and philosophy.

“What was lovely about moving to Ramsey was there were lots of things which needed to be changed.

“Five years after I had moved there, the chairman of governors apologised to me. He said he had never imagined children would have been running into school.”

Mr Young moved to Myland Primary School in 1995. During his 17 years as head, the school role has increased from 240 to 325 and there is always a waiting list of new pupils.

He said: “There has always been a lovely atmosphere in the school.

“I have loved it here and I have been lucky to appoint top class teaching and non-teaching staff.

“I am retiring early at 59 and I will miss the children and staff enormously.

“It has been a privilege to look after other people’s children and it has been fantastic watching them grow and develop their personalities.

“I could have earned more money as an accountant, but I don’t think I would have got so much joy from any other job. It is wonderful.”

Mr Young, who lives in Fronks Road, Dovercourt, aims to spend his retirement indulging his love of travel and gambling.

He said: “I love horses and horse racing. I had some luck at Christmas and won more than £1,000.

“Maybe I will combine the two and will go to the casinos in Nice.”