Long Serving Colleague

[good96]

I’ve got a member of staff in my school who will reach 50 years service in May 2024 - they began their teacher training with us in May 1974 and has remained with us ever since - gone on to lead our Science department and stepped up to SLT before going part time 10 years ago as phased retirement. We’d like to do something special to celebrate this milestone - has anyone ever done anything similar? We’ve had a couple of long servers who have reached 35/40 years but this is the first at 50!

The colleague is turning 75 this year too - doesn’t have plans to fully retire - just continue to do 3 days per week so is definitely a huge commitment!!

Can you name a library or classroom linked to them after them?

And a prize at prize giving.
And ask them what they would like

Couple of ideas...

Plant a tree / name an area of the school after him/ engrave an outdoor clock /bury a time capsule in the playground with his anecdotes.../mural/ street sign with his name in an outdoor area of the building.

Are you the headteacher? It's lovely if there is a grassroots effort for recognition but this kind of service needs formal recognition from the headteacher and governing body (apologies if you are and this is therefore patronising!).

I like the idea of naming a space in the school after them. Ideally you want something which leaves a permanent legacy in an area connected to their specialism or interest - maybe a science lab? A prize for prizegiving is an excellent idea: 'The Teacher Name Award for Science'?

People will likely want to contribute to a collection. Discreetly find out (maybe via their family) if they would rather receive a commemorative item for themselves, or have a resource gifted to the school in their name.

Reach out via alumni networks to get messages and photographs from former pupils and colleagues. If you really want to go for it you could do a 'This is Your Anytown High School Life' with a photo album as a big red book and as many guests from their career as possible in person.

Just had another thought - if the colleague is happy to consent to it then get the local paper and possibly even local TV news to cover. It would be nice to get some positive coverage of schools in the papers!

If they have had really significant impact above and beyond the usual job spec of a teacher then you could nominate them for a royal honour. You will need someone who is willing to write a detailed citation, plus two people who are willing to write letters of support.

There is also a 'Lifetime Achievement' category in the National Teaching Awards. Nominations close at the end of February.

Obviously neither of these is guaranteed but simply the nomination documents would be a great testament to their work over their career. I am fairly sure that nominees for the NTAs are notified of the nomination regardless of whether they win.

Great responses everyone - I am the Headteacher and myself and the governing body have discussed this.
Really like the ideas on here - thank you all!

Nomination for an MBE or Royal Garden Party, if they haven’t already attended.

Not for quite such long service, but my colleague and I retired at the same time after 34 years teaching in the same school. We had a lovely send off with the usual assemblies, songs, cake etc.
We bought a shield which will be presented to a Y6 child each July at their leaving assembly. The Spirit of School Award for kindness, hard work, caring for others etc.
Maybe something similar would be appropriate?

50 years is a very loyal commitment to one school - I know many wouldn’t do that.

Longest serving colleague we have had in our school is 40 years - we celebrated with a staff BBQ on the last day of summer term and presented them with a gift.

We have a similar celebration in our school this year too - our office manager is celebrating their 80th Birthday in June and is retiring also in July so we plan to have a celebration for that. They have been with the school since 1998.
They could have retired 15 years ago but decided to carry on.

Nominate them for an honour https://www.gov.uk/honours