Ceri Sheeran suggested that I write a piece on my experiences during my time as Headteacher at Wimbledon Park Primary School, so here goes!

The school bus - the first thing I saw 17 years ago when I walked into the school playground heading for an interview for the Deputy Headship with the Headteacher, Lesley Harcourt, was the 'bus'. It was a large, long, heavy, oily, single decker. A shiver ran through me when I was congratulated on getting the job. Would I have to drive that giant? " No", Lesley said, we have some wonderful parents who drive it for us.

Wonderful parents - yes over the 17 years that has not changed. There has always been a strong sense of community at Wimbledon Park and the parents (and ex-parents) have always given their time, their energy, their expertise, their money and their love to the school, in abundance.

The staff - Lesley Harcourt introduced me to a hard working group of creative, forward thinking, caring, professional people. Staff turnover at Wimbledon Park is minimal. The strong sense of teamwork that each member of staff  has - teaching and non- teaching staff - working with the same objectives - supporting each other to do their best for the children and to serve the community. The corporate aim is to ensure that each child regardless of social, cultural, or gender differences realises his or her potential. Staff provide learning activities and events which are relevant to the children's needs, challenging and fun. The quality of the staff at Wimbledon Park is reflected in the high standards that the school achieves annually and its successes in other areas.

Successes - an organisation is as good as the people who work in it. WPPS achieved - the Investors in People award (IIP), it was designated as a centre of excellence in Information Communication Technology (ICT). The computer suite has the latest RM Window Box computers, all children now have access to the Internet and there are computers in every classroom. WPPS was the first Merton school to achieve the Eco Schools award and just recently it was announced that the school came joint first with Pelham Primary in the Eco Gardens competition.

The Environment - as awareness has been developing over the years regarding the need for everyone to protect and care for the environment, WPPS developed a strong commitment to teaching the children to care and to conserve. Teachers run lunchtime clubs (developed from the children's