‘I am going to miss all of the children’

David Coulbeck has been a fixture in the community since he started at the school in 1981 but he has announced he will be leaving at Easter.

The 59-year-old said: “28 years is a long time.

“The job I’ve had is a very exciting one but I suppose I want to stop playing the game and helping the Government bring in all these changes again and again and again.”

During his time at Moulton, Mr Coulbeck, who lives in Cuddington, has helped bring in the National Curriculum, local funding for schools, Ofsted and SATs.

When he took up the post Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister.

He has taught through some big news stories, including power cuts, the miners’ strikes, the Dunblane massacre, the death of Princess Diana and the events of 9/11.

“These have been a lot of very difficult things to explain to children and talk to children about,” he said.

But life will not be boring after retirement, as Mr Coulbeck has plans to visit Washington and Chicago, complete all of Wainwright’s walks in the Lake District, trek a coast-to-coast walk and the Pennine Way and cycle from Land’s End to John o’ Groats.

He is also keen to write two children’s stories he has already sketched out.

He said: “I am excited but it’s the end of an era.

“The children have been tremendous and the staff are just wonderful.

“Building a school takes time – you can’t do something for three years and depart.

“You have to put your heart and soul into a school.

“I’m going to miss the children and my colleagues most of all.”