24^th July 2025

After eleven years at High Grange School our Head Teacher Mr Philip McBride is retiring at the end of this academic year. I have been fortunate to work closely with Philip McBride throughout his career at High Grange. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such a dedicated, passionate, and determined individual. He has without question helped set a high standard of professionalism, hard work, commitment, ambition whilst also leading by example since being appointed Head Teacher in 2017. I have known about Philip’s intention to retire since September 2024. Philip handed in his resignation on Friday 4^th July 2025.

In partnership we have worked together striving to achieve the very best outcomes for all our families, pupils, and staff. We have always wanted High Grange School to be considered as an ‘exceptional’ school and to be recognised as one of the best SEN schools in Derbyshire and the East Midlands. In June 2023, the school was recognised as being ‘outstanding’ across all areas with no recommendations by Ofsted. This judgement had taken over eight years to achieve. This was however a by-product to what essentially Phil and I really set out to achieve which was to change our children and young people’s lives. It is only at these moments in time that you actually can take time to reflect and Philip should be extremely proud of his many achievements at High Grange School. However, knowing Philip as well as I do, what he really came into education to do was to make a ‘difference’ to children and young people’s lives. He has certainly achieved that without question.

I know I speak on behalf of our parent body, our pupils, and our past and present staff when I say we wish Philip a long, happy, and healthy retirement. I would like to thank him for his exceptional contribution to the school. The school would not be in the same position of strength without his contribution. He will always be welcomed back at the school in the future; High Grange School is considered to be by many a close family and we are going to miss a big part of our family moving forwards.

Philip, take care and all the best for the future.

Gavin Spicer

Principal

High Grange School