It is with genuine sadness that I am passing on the communication below, from Bob Barnes.

When Bob took over the headship, we knew that this would be for a relatively short time, since he had already retired from Shebbear College in Devon before he came to Abbotsholme to help us to weather a difficult transition.

Abbotsholme School has not only survived but has thrived under his inspiring leadership. The number of pupils has grown significantly, and the school is now very much on course for a secure and successful future. Bob not only leads a happy school, but he has taken great care to maintain the Abbotsholme ethos and to retain much that has always been valued by former pupils and staff.

As OAs, we have much to be grateful for, and we do thank him most sincerely for his commitment, his hard work and his obvious love of the school.

Jenny Richardson
Chair of the Old Abbotsholmians's Club

Dear OAs,

I write to inform you that I will be stepping down from my role as Head of Abbotsholme as of the end of the Summer Term.

I do so with mixed feelings and a heavy heart yet I am confident that the time is right both for Abbotsholme and myself. I have been privileged to have been Headteacher at Abbotsholme and will leave with many fond memories of my time here. There are very few professions that can genuinely influence lives. Teaching, when done well, is certainly one and I feel a sense of pride in what has been achieved at Abbotsholme over the past few years.

I have been enormously proud to work with and lead an impressive team of dedicated teachers and support staff who give far beyond expectation and reward. The joy and comfort with which Abbotsholme pupils conduct themselves at school is a testament to that commitment. I am grateful for the support and kindness that parents, directors and former governors have shown both to the school and myself; it has been that critical support that has enabled the school to grow and flourish both academically and financially.

I am confident that with the quality and commitment of the leadership team and staff, Abbotsholme faces a bright future. The school proprietors will begin the search for my successor immediately and will follow a robust and thorough interview process to appoint a younger, fitter leader for the challenges ahead whilst maintaining the strengths, values and traditions of the school.

Bob Barnes
Head of Abbotsholme School