'Kind and caring' Lancaster headteacher retires after 32 years at city school

Rose Starkey, who has been headteacher at Dallas Road Primary School for 10 years, is retiring today, July 17, following a "strange" end to the school year.
Rose Starkey with pupils at Dallas Road Primary School.Rose Starkey with pupils at Dallas Road Primary School.
Rose Starkey with pupils at Dallas Road Primary School.

Mrs Starkey, 56, who lives in Lancaster, has worked at Dallas Road for 32 years, and has taught in every year group and held numerous positions of responsibility including deputy and assistant head.

She said it had been a privilege to be part of the school throughout her teaching career, and to lead such a vibrant school for the last ten years.

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She said: "It has been a very strange way to finish with school only being open to some of our pupils since March and it has been difficult to say goodbye to everyone.

"I have loved my job as headteacher, although it is challenging it is always wonderful to work alongside children and hopefully empower them to become global citizens who go on to make a real difference by the way they live their lives."

Her retirement plans include a trip to Australia to visit her son, and spending more time with her mum and dad who have just moved to Lancaster.

After a break she will be looking for a new job or challenge.

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Staff at the school described her as a "kind, caring and understanding head who leads by example and always has time for everyone".

They said: "We'll miss her. Dallas Road is well placed to have more success moving forward thanks to her leadership."

The new headteacher at the school will be Phil Wright who has been a head in several schools both in the UK and internationally.

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