Living and Working in Helmdon

Memories from Julie Crouch

I moved to Helmdon in 1993 whilst working as a teacher at Chenderit School in Middleton Cheney. Although I got to know some people it was after I had my son Joseph in 1994 that I felt fully involved in village life. I got to know other parents and when I was able joined the ‘mums and tots’ group in the Baptist Chapel. I worked part time after having Georgia in 1996 which meant I could take my turn as ‘parent helper’ at Helmdon Acorns which was great fun and completely different to secondary school teaching. I really enjoyed being a mum and hearing all about the things Joseph and Georgia were doing at school. I started to think that learning about Barnaby the bear travelling around the world and making model houses like those in the great fire of London would make a refreshing change from teaching teenagers.

I’d been teaching in secondary schools since 1987 and although I’d enjoyed it, it was time for a change. As I was working part- time I used my days off to do a conversion course, this included placements at Waynflete Infants and St Loys schools which were great experiences. At this time Helmdon advertised for a Special Needs coordinator who would also teach Year 1 and 2. It was a part time role and perfect for me. I started teaching at Helmdon ater Easter in 2004. I never regretted it – the staff, children and parents were welcoming and going to work became a pleasure. I was one of the lucky few who could live and work in Helmdon.

In September 2014 I became headteacher a position I enjoyed until my retirement in December 2019.

Over the years I saw many changes at Helmdon and in the education system. We were inspected by OFSTED, took the SATS tests and had our results published in league tables (fortunately ours were good and included being top in the county and in the top 10 in the country), we became fenced in to keep us safe, had hot dinners and the building grew (and grew).

Julie with Lyla in school. One of the things I was most pleased to be able to do, and will probably be remembered for by the children, is bringing my dogs to school. Zante became Helmdon’s first school dog in 2010 followed by Lyla who joined the team in February 2012 as a puppy. She has been, and will continue to be, a great friend to the children and will visit regularly despite joining me in retirement.

Whatever the changes, Helmdon maintained its village school appeal. Children look out for each other and parents like to be involved. The staff are consistently caring and highly competent. I couldn’t have wished to be a head of a better school.

Julie Crouch
2020