Tributes paid to Headteacher leaving Middleton Primary School

Middleton Primary School bids farewell to Headteacher, Miss Sam Williams, this summer and the school and members of the local community would like to thank her for so many years of service and to wish her well for her retirement.

Miss Williams has contributed to education for her entire working life. Before coming to Middleton as a Deputy Headteacher in 2006, she worked in Manchester across various schools and had always shown a flair for leadership. She then became the Headteacher at Middleton Primary School in 2007.

She has always been clear and committed in her values and vision within education and has worked incredibly hard over 17 years to give the children of Middleton the best educational offer she could. She has always been a passionate advocate of providing experiences for children including a wide range of residentials. She is a role model for educators showing people that kindness, compassion and understanding enhances the education for the young people in her care.

In November 2022, Ofsted rated the school as Good and highlighted that leaders in the school “built strong relationships with families”, “invested in high-quality care and support for children with SEND” and “organise a wide range of educational visits.”

We asked people who know Miss Williams to write about her and her many qualities.

“I am privileged to have worked closely with Miss Williams for many years in south Leeds. Her dedication to the young people, each and every one of them, is incredible. She is driven, determined and dedicated. Her positivity and warmth are there for all to see and her ability to see the good in all of the children she works with leads to improvement and success. She is an excellent leader and her experience and knowledge will be missed across the Cockburn Multi-academy Trust and we all wish her well for a well-deserved retirement!”

David Gurney, Executive Headteacher, Cockburn MAT.

“I feel lucky to have been able to work alongside her for 12 years and have learnt so much from her; a mentor and also a friend. I hope that you have the most wonderful retirement Miss Williams, you have definitely earned it!“

Miss Tissiman, Deputy Headteacher (and Headteacher from September 2024).

“I’ve worked with Miss Williams my whole career. Miss Williams’s leadership saw me go from an NQT to an Assistant Headteacher at Middleton. I have loved working with her, and she has been a truly inspirational person in my life, and more importantly now a friend. We have had some rough days in school, but she always finds some light in the situations, and we have laughed until we’ve cried! Her demeanour with staff, children and animals is one to be admired by all. Middleton will never be the same without you, and neither will I. You deserve the happiest retirement, congratulations.”

Miss Ward, Assistant Headteacher.

“I’ve worked for Miss Williams since she started at MPS in 2006 and, over time, she’s turned our school into a place I’m very proud to work at. She’s not just a colleague, she’s a friend and the fact that she is loved and respected by staff, pupils and parents alike is testament to the kind of person she is. The school will not be the same without her but I wish her all the very best for her well-earned retirement.”

Miss Lynn, Office Manager

“Miss Williams had been Headteacher for a year already when I started at Middleton Primary School in 2008 and I’ve seen how she’s made a lot of changes which have had positive effects on the children, parents, and staff alike.  She’s been a kind, caring, approachable lead for us all, as well as being great fun, she has great relationships with everyone, and she will be very much missed!”

Miss Baldwinson, Finance Assistant.

“Miss Williams has been a brilliant, inspirational Headteacher for Middleton Primary, resulting in school being rated as “good” at the last two most recent Ofsted Inspections.  Having Miss Williams as Headteacher has made my role as Chair of Governors so much easier and it has been a pleasure to work alongside her. She will indeed be a hard act to follow!”

Geoff Day – Chair of Governors.

“Retirement Is great. You can do nothing and not have to worry about getting caught.”

Miss Hales, Support Staff Manager.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Miss Williams for the past 17 years. She has been an inspiration and support to me during this time. I wouldn’t be where I am without her. There have been many changes along the way but Miss Williams has been the constant. I will miss her but wish her the very best in her retirement!”

Miss Stockdale, Teacher.

“From the bottom of our hearts- thank you! For your care. For supporting our children and us, parents! For knowing everyone’s name and for cheering us when we needed it. For every minute spent with my son building Lego and every single shoelace tied up for the other one. For teaching children how important is to stay open minded and for keeping promises for them. For leading school with such a passion and positive spirit. We will all miss your smile by the school gates so very very much!”

Natalia Marciniak, Parent

“Miss Williams, where do I begin? You have been the headteacher for all four of my children and every single one of them has loved you from the beginning. You’ve always been a big part of my children’s education but not only that you’ve always been there for me as a parent too, which I can’t thank you enough. You really are the staple of Middleton Primary School and it will be sad to see you leave. But after all of your hard work and years at the school you deserve the break.”

Kelly Gibson- Parent

“Miss Williams, we have known you for a lot of years, since the very first day you came through the primary gates. Five of our children and numerous grandchildren have previously attended or still attend MPS. You have brought this school forward in so many positive ways. We have always found you to be trustworthy, approachable, honest and fair. You have always treated us with fairness and respect. Miss Williams in our honest opinion you are the best Headteacher this primary has ever had. You should and hopefully do feel very proud of yourself and everything you have done for the children of Middleton. We wish you a very happy retirement. Now go and do all the things you love doing and enjoy them stress free. Take care and all the best for the future!”

Sharon and Allan Wright and all the Wright children and grandchildren.

“I love Miss Williams’s calming energy and the way she remembers every child’s name at the gates each morning. Miss W is cut from a different cloth and will be missed.”

Sara Larnyoh, Parent

“In short, I would like to say, it has really been a great honour to have had Miss Williams as the Headteacher for MPS for all these years. She is always very involved in what is going on in the school, and always seems to be at the helm of things, very much hands on. She has always been very passionate about the students and takes special interest in knowing them. In fact, it never ceases to amaze me how she manages to remember every child’s name and relates with each one personally. Most of the times she will join the staff at the gate and meet and greet parents/ students which is just a lovely gesture as it makes her very relatable. She has served her school well, and I do wish her the very best in the next chapter of her life.”

Dianne and David’s Mum

Good luck, Miss Williams, and thanks.

 

This post is based on a press release issued by Middleton Primary School

 

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