THE head teacher of a York secondary school rated outstanding by Ofsted is retiring from his post after 15 years at the helm and 22 years at the school.

Bill Scriven is only the second head teacher at All Saints RC School which was founded in 1985 when three schools amalgamated. He started at the school in 1996 as deputy head under the previous incumbent, Dr Adrian Elliott, and is now stepping down to spend more time with his family after the death of his son, Andrew, 23.

Mr Scriven, 56, who lives in Barton-le-Willows with his wife, Catherine and has three other children, Sarah-Jane, Kirsten and Michael, said: “I need to take stock and I need to look after me and my family.

“Andrew died in December 2016 and it’s been a huge blow to us all and we are still learning to manage that.”

All Saints is a split site school based at Mill Mount and Nunnery Lane in South Bank and won the praise of Ofsted at its last inspection in 2016 when it was rated outstanding and accessors said: “In and out of lessons pupils are polite, courteous and have extremely positive attitudes to learning. Pupils describe their teachers as being passionate and this love for learning is rubbing off on them. Pupils and students thrive on this enthusiasm. They told inspectors that they love actively seeking challenge rather than playing it safe with work that is too easy for them.”

York Press:

Mr Scriven said that not letting the school down is one of his proudest achievements, “it’s a huge responsibility”, he said, but admitted “it’s individuals that I’m most proud of too, like the boy who’d been permanently excluded from two schools, and joined us in Year 10, didn’t get anything at GCSE. He was very very troubled and we kept him for a year in sixth form. He’s ended up with a job in a bank.

“All Saints is a high achieving school, we have a lot of high achieving pupils particularly at sixth form level every year, but I think the staff are focused on every individual and not on trying to chase down the benchmarks that make the school look good and that’s really important.”

Mr Scriven said he’s leaving the school in a “really robust place” and won’t be leaving until August 31 giving the governors time to find his successor. He said although he’s retiring as head he’s open to the possibility of working in education in the future.

Peter Cannings, chairman of governors, said: “Bill Scriven is an inspirational head teacher and National Leader of Education who has led All Saints RC School to Ofsted “outstanding” status in both Section 8 (academic provision) and Section 48 (Religious provision). "The Board of Governors are deeply appreciative of the enormous contribution Bill has made to Catholic education in York and within the Diocese of Middlesbrough. His ability to inspire both staff and pupils has made All Saints such a wonderful place to work and study.

“Bill will be greatly missed at All Saints and the governors wish him a well-deserved long and happy retirement.”

Matthew Flanagan, deputy head teacher, said: "It is not possible to quantify Bill's outstanding contribution to life at All Saints.

"In 22 years of loyal and devoted service his wisdom and compassion have benefitted countless students and colleagues.

"Like all exceptional teachers and leaders, he will never know the number of lives that have been influenced by his work. Bill’s leadership of the school during his tenure as head teacher has been truly remarkable. His clarity of vision and his Faith have been fundamental in nurturing a school where each individual is valued and appreciated."

"This is perhaps illustrated in the following quote from our most recent Ofsted inspection, “The school radiates a caring, compassionate ethos upon which positive relationships, high expectations and scholastic excellence are built. This is evident the moment you enter the school.

"Bill has a genuine passion for his vocation; he lives this on a daily basis. His devotion to the school and his genuine concern for others will leave a lasting legacy at All Saints not just in terms of achievements or standards but more importantly by the example that he set and the values that he lives by, he is an individual of the utmost integrity and honest.

"The thoughts, prayers and best wishes of staff and students both past and present will accompany Bill when he leaves All Saints.

"We sincerely hope that he enjoys the opportunities that his retirement will bring, enabling him to spend more time with his wife Catherine, their children and grandchildren as well as other keen interests such as beekeeping."