Surprise for head teacher marking 20 years at Oxford school

A primary school head teacher, described by his students as “motivational” and “very kind”, has marked 20 years of service with a surprise organised by the school’s staff and pupils.

David Lewin was greeted by more than 400 pupils and staff at Wood Farm Primary School, in Oxford, this week to celebrate two decades leading the school.

The event saw the students shout “surprise” while the school band played a fanfare in the background, before each class presented handmade gifts to Mr Lewin.

He said it had been “almost too much”, but added that it was “so beautiful” and “so lovely to hear all the things people have said”.

“We’re all busy, we’re all doing different things every day but it’s lovely sometimes to hear back from people,” he added.

Hugh Turner, chair of the school’s governors, said Mr Lewin had a “personality that is quite amazing” and had made the school a “very joyful place to be”.

“I’ve been governor for 20 years and I’ve seen the school develop, and it’s because of David’s amazing leadership skills,” he said.

One student at the school, aged 9, said Mr Lewin was a “very kind person” who was “always putting other people’s feelings before his own to make sure they’re happy”.

Another added he was “very motivational for us because in difficult times he always motivates us and gives us nice speeches”.

Mr Lewin told BBC Radio Oxford that Wood Farm “looks and feels a bit different now” compared to when he first joined in the mid noughties.

During his tenure, Mr Lewin said the school had done “so many lovely things”, with the headteacher highlighting its move into a new purpose-built building as a particular high point.

He said it had been “such a privilege to come and be with the children every day and to get to know their families over such a long time”.

“There are loads of great schools in Oxford, but we know secretly that we’re the best,” he said, before admitting he may be “slightly biased”.