Retirement – How do you want to feel?

First, let me say that I know I’m fortunate.

When I decided to retire, I’d been a primary teacher for 38 years, spending 26 of those as a headteacher.

I’d made the decision to go before others decided I ought to, I’d worked with a brilliant financial adviser for a number of years, who helped me plan my post-work life. And I was healthy. 

All that to say, there is a bit of advice I was given that really influenced my retirement, and I think it’s a useful nugget for almost any teacher planning their next steps. So, let me tell you what happened…

Making the leap

My last day of term as a headteacher, back in July 2022, was followed by what felt like a normal summer holiday, (aside from the ‘formal’ handover to my successor halfway through).

But once September rolled around, I was no longer bound by school. So my wife, Sue, and I headed off on a glorious six-week trip around Scotland. Nothing feels better than going away on holiday on the first day of the autumn term, after 38 years of strictly no term-time holidays. 

The new normal

But on our return, the ‘what next?’ feelings started looming. A friend of mine (not in education) had warned me of doing too much of what you love straight away. He loves golf, and had taken to playing three times a week when he retired. But soon found that when he actually wanted to do other things, he felt obligated to his golfing buddies. 

So, heeding that advice, I made sure my interested stayed varied. I continued on as a governor at my local primary school, and on the committee of my NAHT branch, joined a gym, bought a bike, and set to my allotment.

As time has gone on, I’ve steadily added areas of interest. I’m now a governor in two primary schools and a trustee of a MAT; I’m a churchyard gardener, I’m on the Allotments Association committee. I also volunteer for Duke of Edinburgh expeditions as a helper, and I play golf and tennis each week.

It takes me twice as long to get anywhere locally now, as I always see old and new friends to chat to. I also host the annual West Sussex Leadership Conference, and I’m the (very part-time) locality lead director for West Sussex’s Teaching School Hub.

Importantly (I think) I’ve entrusted a close group of former colleagues to tell me when my time is up in these latter roles. I definitely don’t want to be the old ex-headteacher who stays around too long.

Getting it right

So, the message – if you’re lucky enough to be able to – is to do what a very wise and wonderful woman (Jaz Ampaw-Farr) said to me. “In retirement, don’t just focus on what you want to do but how you want to feel.”

See Education Support’s retirement guide for more information and guidance.

John Gadd is a former primary headteacher.

Or learn about its funded Staff Wellbeing Service for schools in Wales: educationsupport.org.uk/wales