A Cumbrian headteacher has waved goodbye to her school after 10 years at the helm.
Donna Vinsome has retired from Hunter Hall, in Penrith after a total of 37 years in the teaching profession.
She spent much of that time as a geography specialist, starting in the state sector, before moving to the independent sector in 2001 taking up a post at Durham School. Then in 2003, a move to Warwickshire where she became pastoral deputy head at Bilton Grange.
Donna, affectionately known as Mrs V at the school, grew up in a coal mining family in County Durham. She arrived at Hunter Hall in 2013, and she and the school have never looked back.
Chair of governors Natalie Harling said: “She is an inspirational lady who selflessly always considers the needs of the children above all else.
“Since arriving at Hunter Hall in 2013, Mrs Vinsome has created a school like no other, opportunities for the children are endless, through her personal values and ethos she has always led the school with the greatest of compassion and dedication.
“She has touched the lives of so many families over her ten years and will be greatly missed by many. Hunter Hall now look forward to welcoming Mr Borrows to the school in September to step into her very large shoes!”
Donna will continue her governor duties at Barnard Castle School as well as continue to sit as a trustee on the ITRUST board – helping children who would benefit, access to an education such as the one delivered by Hunter Hall.
She hopes to resume completing the 630-mile South West Coast Path, to getting out in the garden and spending more time with her own children and her first grandchild, born last November.
New headmaster Paul Borrows is set to take the reins at Hunter Hall in September.
