Dame Tamsyn Imison's return to Hampstead School - Ex-head fearful of “ill-thought-through” education reforms.

Published: 23 December 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

SHE described it as “a bit of a dump” when she became headteacher 26 years ago, but Dame Tamsyn Imison returned to Hampstead School last week to marvel at its transformation.

The popular former headteacher and educational strategist also took a swipe at the new government’s “ill-thought-through” education reforms.

She was back at the Westbere Road school to officially open the Dame Tamsyn Imison Building, its new state-of-the-art technology block.

Of the challenges facing the school under the new government she said: “I am fearful of the present ill-thought-through and rushed proposals for education cuts and the impact on the most vulnerable groups we have always been proud to support well,” she said.

During her speech, she also recalled that when she had first arrived, it had been so filthy she even had her own cleaning cupboard.

“The buildings and fittings were in very poor order and covered in graffiti,” she told teachers and governors. “At the beginning I spent hours cleaning and sanding down splinters – so I could come back as a cleaner if you need one.”

But she praised current headteacher Jacques Szemaikowski for achieving the school’s best-ever exam results two years running and said the new building – which contains a professional kitchen and computer suite – would be important in further driving excellence.