Mr Gilfillan's Retirement

It is with great sadness that we inform the local community of Mr Gilfillan's decision to formally announce his retirement as Headteacher of Burradon Primary School. Mr Gilfillan requested that we post his message of gratitude and appreciation to the community on the website:

"It is with great sadness and regret that I have decided to retire from the headship of Burradon Community Primary School. My continuing ill health is not improving and I think that this is the right time to step aside.
I have had 10 very happy years in Burradon. I am proud of what we have achieved together and I have been able to call upon the Forum on countless occasions for support and guidance. My strongest memory is from 2006 when the new school building was opened by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair. That was a wonderful day for the school and the local community.
I would dearly love to keep in touch with developments and progress within the village. But for now may I thank the members of the Forum and the residents of the village for their unfailing care, friendship and support.
I would also like to thank Miss Hunter for the wonderful way in which she has led the school in my absence, I hope to see you all again in the near future to pass on my thanks in person."

Alistair

Mr Gifillan was appointed Headteacher in 1999 and he immediately opened the school to the people in the local community which placed the school at the heart of the village. We should not forget that the fortunes of the school had declined dramtaically before Mr Gilfillan's appointment and would have closed in 1995 without the intervention of the Rt Hon Stephen Byers MP.
Mr Gilfillan and his team of dedicated teachers have transformed the education of the children in the village which is reflected in numerous OFSTED reports and the new school which was opened in 2006.
Although Mr Gilfillan is retiring he has left a remarkable legacy for the children, community and his eventual successor and he retires with the sincerest best wishes of the people of Burradon and we hope that he will continue to be a regular visitor and contribute to the future success of the village.