I was lucky enough to have an interview with someone who has helped generations of children: Mrs McKay, our community’s amazing head teacher at Hall Orchard Primary School who is sadly leaving after seventeen years of hard work and kindness to the school! I had fifteen curious questions for her.

Hi Mrs McKay thank you for taking the time when you are so busy. Let’s get started.

Question one, when did you become a head teacher? “I was first a head teacher in a school in Nottingham in April 2001 but I started at Hall Orchard in September 2005.”

A head teacher for 21 years, that’s amazing!

So, were you a teacher before being a head teacher? “Yes, for quite a while actually. I was a teacher for 16 years before being a head teacher it was from 1985 to 2001.”

That’s very interesting, so why did you want to be a head teacher? “I wanted to be a head teacher because I knew I could make a big difference being a head teacher by working with the teachers and therefore the children being taught and I’d be able to make a difference to the school by making it a happier place to learn.”

That’s very nice and I get that as a teacher you can make a difference to a class but as a head teacher you can make a difference to a whole school.

When you were in primary school who were your favourite teachers? “I think that my favourite teachers were the ones who read me stories and just made them come to life because I love reading. I think it was also the ones who really cared about me and wanted me to do really well.”

That’s really sweet and I know that I would probably feel the same way.

What was your favourite subject? “I think my favourite subject would be English and reading because I loved to write and read.”

I really like to read as well!

When you started being a head teacher at this school did you have any goals and did you complete them? “Yes, I did. I wanted to make sure that the school had better SATs, better outside areas, some extensions, after school clubs, better standards from the children and to keep the happiness Hall Orchard always
had. I think I did that, don’t you?”

Yes, I do. I completely agree!

What are some of the biggest changes you have made? “I think the biggest changes I have made are what and how the children learn things. I’ve extended the hall; the school looks a lot nicer; we’ve added two new classrooms; almost all the teachers we currently have are new to the school since I have been here; and we have added in trim trails for break and lunch times.”

That’s amazing and I think they are all such good changes.

What do you think your greatest achievement was? “I think my greatest achievement is the children who have attended Hall Orchard because the teachers have taught them so much to help them become wonderful adults. I am also very proud of the teachers because they have worked so hard to teach all the children and they really care about the children here.”

I agree, I think the teachers are really hard working and kind.

What has been the trickiest thing about your career at this school? “Covid 19 was very difficult because I had to close the school and make almost all the children learn from home. It was also very tricky when I first started at this school because the school had very little money and it needed a lot of improvements.”

That must have been very hard. I missed the teachers a lot and also the school dinners!

What is your favourite school dinner? “I think the school dinners are great but I don’t eat them very often.”

If you get a chance, I recommend the meatballs!

We sing a lot of songs at Hall Orchard. Which one is your favourite? “Believe is my favourite because it sends a good message and that the children can do anything if they try hard. We usually sing it at assembly when the year sixes leave and it makes me think of all of the children I have known in my time here.”

What will you miss most about your job? “I will miss seeing the children, the teachers and I will miss seeing the plays the children put on. I will miss seeing the children achieve things. I’ll miss the staff and how helpful and kind they are.”

We’ll miss you too.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be? “That is actually really difficult because I have wanted to be a head teacher since I was four but I do love travelling so maybe something to do with that.”

That’s very interesting, do you have any plans for the future? “Yes, I plan to go on lots of holidays because I love to travel. I want to go to places that I can’t visit during the school holidays and so I can see things the school teaches like the pyramids!”

That’s really cool! Finally, you’ve taught us about friendship and helping others,

What did you learn from the children? “I learnt how wonderful, supportive and kind children can be. They also taught me that never giving up, supporting one another, resilience and kindness might be more important than how good you are at maths.”

I’ve always thought Mrs McKay is a very hard working, kind head teacher and my interview proved I was right. Hall Orchard Primary School was very lucky to have her and I hope she does “face the future treasuring each day”.*

Ruby Aldis
(year 5 pupil at Hall Orchard)

Lyrics from Mrs McKay’s favourite song Believe written by Lin Marsh and sung by Michelle Cox.
You can listen to the song on Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Snve4oGJBZ0