Last updated 12:03, Tuesday, 29 July 2008

AN inspirational headteacher says he resigned from the school he led for almost 28 years because he’s fed up with bureaucracy and statistics getting in the way of ‘real education’.

TIMES OF CHANGE: Askam Village School and departing headteacher Myron Hrynkow, below right

The teacher of 38 years said: “I’ve just had enough of league tables, targets and pointless statistics and not having time any more for real education.”

The former head says it was a very difficult decision as he loves the pupils, staff and Askam community.

But Mr Hrynkow said: “I’ve got to the point where there are so many people disillusioned with education, with SATs that are pointless. It’s so annoying to see millions being wasted so the government can use the statistics.”

“There is so much pressure on headteachers.“Like many before me and after me I’m voting with my feet.“Education is so bound up with bureaucracy and statistics, there are so many changes that come in monthly and weekly.”

Mr Hrynkow said he wants to speak up for teachers who feel they can’t talk about these issues. The 59-year-old, who helped Askam become one of Cumbria’s first grant maintained schools, said: “It’s been very enjoyable. I’m happy I’m leaving one of the most successful schools in the area. I’d dearly like to stay for two or three years longer.”

He said he is leaving behind a sterling staff team and wonderful children.Mr Hrynkow said: “They are a very experienced and capable team who have helped me to create what I can only describe an excellent school.”

Mr Hrynkow is going to carry on with his songwriting and he will record music in schools. He said “I’ll miss everyone because it is like one big family. It was a very difficult decision to make.

Mr Hrynkow said he has really enjoyed working with children, staff and visitors on artistic projects.

Pupils have worked with international artists such as Strobes guitarist Brian Willoughby.

Mr Hrynkow said it has been difficult to find a new head.

He said: “The government is well aware of the problem regarding headteacher appointments since about 2003 and very little has been done to address the situation.”

Gina Brieley has been appointed as a part-time acting headteacher of Askam Village School.

Fiona Roberts and Stephen Cairns, who have been appointed assistant headteachers at Askam, said: “Mr Hrynkow has been a charismatic head who has been highly instrumental in the school’s success over many years. He has been a very supportive leader and Mr Hrynkow’s contribution to the creative arts, especially music and school productions, has been outstanding. We all wish him every happiness for the future.”

The assistant heads paid tribute to all the departing staff. They said: “On behalf of the school, we would like to thank them all for their invaluable contribution to school life.”

Four long-serving staff members have retired through voluntary redundancy.

They are deputy head Carol Warwick and secretary Cath Duncan, who have worked at the school for about 20 years, Irene Hrynkow, a literacy support leader whose been at school for 18 years and Bridget Gerry, a teaching assistant, who has been at school for around 15 years.

Teacher Felicity Anderson is going to work in a school in Kuwait.

A spokesperson for the Department for Children Schools and Families said: “Improvements in pay over the last decade and the improved flexibility in pension arrangements make it more affordable for school leaders to retire early or step down to less demanding roles as they approach retirement. “The headteacher workforce is actually in a healthy state. Head vacancies have stayed low and stable for some years now. Ninety per cent of headteachers enjoy their job and one in three teachers want to become heads.

“Good leadership is vital to the performance of a school, which is why we support heads to do the best job they can. We’ve cut bureaucracy, doubled the number of support staff and increased the numbers of bursars and admin staff to relieve the administrative burden on heads. The average salary of a head teacher has risen by 26 per cent in real terms since 1997.”