Gayton High School
Martin
Buck - Headmaster 1994-99
by
Alex Bateman
The
first half of 1994 saw the headship of Gayton High in the temporary hands of
Mike Chapman, the Deputy Head who had assumed control after the retirement of
Chris Connop. The new Autumn term
of 1994 saw a new permanent headmaster in Martin Buck, who was brought in to
turn around what had become by then, a failing school.
Numbers had fallen, the buildings were run down, and it was generally
agreed that the School had 'lost its way'.
Martin
had a proven record in turning round such situations and he set about the task
immediately. He had been teaching
in London since the mid-1970s, rising to Deputy Head, and was also an Ofsted
Inspector. Upon joining the School,
he set about five main goals. The
first was to increase the intake of pupils into the School, followed by an
improvement in the exam performance attained.
He planned to upgrade the quality of the School buildings and facilities,
while also increasing the range of extra-curricular
activities available. Lastly,
he intended to work closely with the PTA and Old Gaytonians to raise funds for
the School.
It
came as quite a shock and disappointment to many Old Boys of the School then,
when it was announced that the annual Remembrance Day Service (held since 1919)
was to be abolished, as was the Cadet Force.
This last point was particularly puzzling as it was one of the few out of
school activities left, and being voluntary, was at its healthiest for some 20
years.
By
the end of the 1990s however, the School was back on the up, and thriving in
many areas. A new 'expressive arts'
building was being built, and a new wing under construction, together costing
some £6.7M. With the introduction
of 'the fairer sex' the numbers had begun to rise once more, and the future
looked a lot brighter.
Martin
had the unique distinction of being the headmaster through two incarnations of
the School, seeing in the new Harrow High, which was born in September 1998.
At
the time of the changeover, a government report described the School as 'one of
the most improved in the country'. With
the task required coming to fruition, Martin decided after five and a half years
to head for pastures new. Although
not all of his decisions were met with enthusiasm, he must be credited with
bringing new life and hope to a School on a downward journey. To the delight of many, the November 1999 Remembrance Service
was reinstated, re-forging a link with the original School.
Martin
left Harrow High in December 1999 for a community college in East London.
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