The headteacher of Bunscoill Rhumsaa, the Island’s biggest primary school, is to retire this summer.
Jacqueline Barrow completed her degree and teacher training in Durham and began her teaching career at Ballaugh Primary School in 1978.
She moved to Albert Road Junior School, Ramsey, where she worked until taking a career break to care for her two children.
Once the boys were settled at school, she had a brief period as a supply teacher, providing cover at several northern schools. During this time, she completed a full year back at Albert Road and knew she was ready to return to work full-time.
She resumed her career at Auldyn Infants’ School, where she was appointed co-ordinator for science and design and technology. She later added the role of ICT co-ordinator to her responsibilities.
In 2001 Mrs Barrow was appointed deputy headteacher at Albert Road, where she enjoyed completing the National Professional Qualification for Headship. She then took up her first headship, at Ballasalla School in 2005.
Mrs Barrow said she enjoyed her time at the southern school and had no intention of moving on until the headship of Scoill Ree Gorree (the renamed and relocated Albert Road) was advertised in 2009.
‘The lure of returning to the north of the Island, to the school in which I had taught three times before, and at which my children had been pupils, was too great and I applied for the job,’
she said.
Mrs Barrow served as only the second headteacher of Scoill Ree Gorree for three years before being told by the Department of Education and Children that the decision had been made to amalgamate the by now neighbouring infant and junior schools in September 2013. For the school year 2012-2013 she was the head of Ree Gorree and Auldyn schools, overseeing the formal amalgamation to the present 472-pupil Bunscoill Rhumsaa.
Commenting on her retirement, Mrs Barrow said:
‘I have enjoyed working with so many wonderful children and dedicated professionals over the years. I am now at the stage of having in school the children of many of the children I taught earlier in my career and I think I am retiring just before the third generation starts school.’
Mrs Barrow’s husband Martin, the Director of Education with the Department of Education and Children, is retiring at Easter and she hopes he will have done lots of jobs on the house before she joins him in July.
Their children are now grown up. Following his graduation from Cambridge University, Christopher took up a post in London with PwC in project finance. Timothy, who followed his mother in attending Durham University, now teaches in Leicestershire.
Mrs Barrow is looking forward to having more time to travel, read and take on new challenges.
Professor Ronald Barr, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Education and Children, said:
‘Jacqueline Barrow has worked for the DEC for her entire professional life and has been a popular and energetic headteacher, leading first Ballasalla School and in recent years the primary schools in Ramsey. Over the last couple of years she has led the merger of Auldyn School and Scoill Ree Gorree to form Bunscoill Rhumsaa and the DEC is very grateful for the commitment she has shown in leading this project to a successful conclusion.
‘I know that she will be greatly missed by everyone at the school and also by the wider education community. I am sure everyone who knows Mrs Barrow would want to join with the Department in wishing her a long, healthy and happy retirement.’
The headship will be advertised shortly.
