Chris Bartram

We’re all looking forward to breaking up next Friday and going our separate ways on holiday.

But none of us is looking forward to saying goodbye to Chris Bartram.

Chris is about to embark on a richly deserved and, I hope, happy new phase in her life. And in doing so she’ll be able to reflect on a career spent mainly at Moorside in the certain knowledge that no one has contributed more to the lives of the young people of Consett than she.

In her time Chris has graduated through teaching PE and then leading the subject to being head of year, teacher of Health and Social Care, staff governor and, in the past few years, to assistant headteacher.

I’ve worked most closely with Chris in that last stage. I was very glad that she stepped forward to take charge of learning support and inclusion. I already know about her highly developed organisational talents, and, even more importantly, her deep compassion for young people in need. And hers is a massive job, not just because of the huge range of responsibilities but also because of the critical issues involved.

Just in case you didn’t know, Chris is in charge of all aspects of special needs, child protection, vulnerable groups, behaviour and rewards. They’re all connected so it works fine if you have one person at the helm who is first class at multi tasking and decision making.

And that’s Chris.

There have been many occasions when Chris has had to deal with heart breaking and difficult issues and she has always done so calmly and rationally with the best interests of the young person at heart. Not only that but she has provided wise advice and support to staff and parents and has stood by me at times of great adversity.