Almost 40 years in education - in Polytechnics and then in FE Colleges. Facing retirement is a very strange feeling: aware of a big world of experience behind me, and a whole new and unknown world ahead of me. I do feel ready to retire and I am looking forward to doing so many of the things which I have not made time to do up to now, except for short periods - such as spending time with family and friends, travel, gardening, making lace, doing nothing (what is that?), having time and inclination to read.
I have been fortunate in that my Chair and Corporation have been supportive, and wanted 12 months notice to prepare for the installation of a new Principal. One of the more difficult aspects I found was the change in perspective moving from being ‘the Principal’ to being ‘the Principal who is leaving’. Principals are used to being in charge. As such, we respect and listen hard to our Corporations, but have enormous opportunities to take things forward in the way we want. The moment the Agenda changes to what will happen after we leave, including all the lead-in to that, the scenario changes significantly. The supreme responsibility of the Corporation, its Chair and lead members comes right to the fore - the Principal’s position is not as ‘unassailable’ as it had been. If not handled carefully, problems and frictions can emerge and get out of hand. Maybe it’s just part of that famous mantra: Vive la Reine, la Reine est morte!
The Principal’s role is unique, and negotiating one’s exit can be a lonely path. As well as family and friends, I found it reassuring and most helpful to have colleagues in PPC to talk to, and to provide me with practical advice on how to handle negotiations. Working up through our careers we all spend many hours advising others on what to do and how best to achieve what they want. When it comes to ourselves, we are not always so well equipped to deal with these situations. Many examples of problems experienced by Principals are where individuals have not realised, because they have not been talking to others, that there is a problem, let alone deal with it. By the time you read this I will be retired - I am writing this two weeks before I finish work at College - fingers are crossed that no wheels fall off in the meantime!
For myself, I think I have been fortunate in that the transition between myself and my successor has been successful inter-personally (this is not always the case!); from an access point of view (she has been able to come over to the College easily and has resolved living near the College very quickly); and with enough time to put in place a reasonable transition programme. As the outgoing Principal I have certainly felt that I wanted everything to be left and handed over as smoothly as possible. I have to say that the amount of business to hand over can be quite daunting, and it is so easy only to think of all the things you wished you had done, let alone done better!
What a time to retire! The current period is proving to be one of the worst periods in which to retire from leadership in Further Education. Just when I would have loved to be celebrating with all my colleagues the many achievements we have shared over the last 15 years, they are facing the prospect of job losses and redundancies, and the College is having to cut at least 1000 adult student places from Adult Learning and Employer Responsive activity. Last November the Government promised that FE had a key role to play in recovery from recession - it now sounds like a very hollow promise in March/April.
However, being a hopeless optimist, with an undying faith in the power of education, and further education in particular, I know that these awful moments will pass and FE will grow again and again with all its resilience, power, and sensitivity to its students and staff. For my part, I have been so lucky to have been able to enjoy working in education for so long, supported throughout by friends, mentors and family. Now I can focus on learning as a student - with all the joys of discovery and achievement that come with it.
To all my friends and colleagues over the years - thank you.
Joanna Tait
