Head’s ‘genuine care’ (From Your Local Guardian)

Head’s ‘genuine care’

2:52pm Monday 4th June 2007 in

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If the nominations for the Kingston's Best Headteacher competition are anything to go by, primary schools' top teachers are head and shoulders above the rest.

This week's nomination is Mrs Diane Campbell, headteacher of The Mount Primary School, in Dickerage Lane, New Malden.

She was nominated by Christina Price, who said: "She has a very warm nature and a genuine care for her children and her school."

Mrs Campbell, 62, has been in charge of The Mount for 11 years and feels that she has found the perfect school.

She said: "I had worked at two previous schools as a headteacher, including at a school in Hounslow. I was at that stage in my career 11 years ago that I wanted a change and another challenge. When I walked into the Mount, I just knew that it was right for me."

One of the projects that Mrs Campbell has been most proud of is the excellent link she fostered with the charity Age Concern.

She said: "We have retired people who come in regularly and spend the afternoon with the children and it's really good that they have contact with people from that generation, especially if they have no grandparents of their own. It creates an atmosphere of respect."

Mrs Campbell knew she wanted to become a teacher from a very early age. She said: "I knew from about the age of five that I wanted to become a teacher. I've been doing it now for almost 40 years and I have never, ever been bored for one day. I quickly decided that the primary school was for me. The younger children just soak up learning and are so enthusiastic."

Diane Campbell is vying with last week's nominee Brenda Mitchell of Christ Church School in New Malden for the title of Kingston's Best Headteacher.

• To vote for Diane click here