St Anselm's College head teacher to retire after 22 years in the job

Simon Duggan took up the job at St Anselms College in Birkenhead in December 2002 and is retiring after 22 years as headmaster and a total of 36 years as a teacher.

Succeeding him as headteacher will be current deputy head Serena Cubbin.

Asked why he has decided to say goodbye, Simon, a former St Anselm's student who worked at schools across the country before coming home for family reasons, said: "I actually reach my retirement age in October, so it seemed like a good time to go and the opportunity to have a new life.

Simon Duggan has been headmaster at St Anselms College headmaster in Birkenhead since December 2002 and is retiring at the end of this academic year (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)"It's certainly nothing to do with the college because I'm continuing to enjoy my job here and things are going well, but we only get one life.

"I've been in education for 36 years and, sadly, several of my friends have died early and other friends have passed away, so I think it's time to look for some new opportunities and a different take on life."

Simon, whose father worked for Lever Bros and Unilever was born in Clatterbridge and attended Christ the King, Redcourt and then St. Anselm's College for 6months in 1978 before moving, aged 14, with his family to Hertfordshire because of his father's job.

Simon's teaching career began at St Ambrose College in Altrincham, Cheshire, where two of his brothers were students. His parents moved to Altrincham after Simon's graduation from University.

He then taught at the City of London Boys School for five years, before teaching at a comprehensive in Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire.

Following the birth of their first child, Simon and his wife Sheila decided they wanted to return to the Northwest, where his family lived.

He was then offered a post as head of history at St Bede's College in Manchester where he stayed for seven years before returning to Wirral and applying for the job of headmaster at St Anselms, a job he began in December 2002.

Simon Duggan has been headmaster at St Anselms College headmaster in Birkenhead since December 2002 and is retiring at the end of this academic year (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)Simon admitted he never expected to get the job of headteacher, but counts that among the highlights of his 22 years in post.

"The highlights began, really, with being appointed as headmaster of my former college.

"I couldn't really believe it, I was only 37 and didn't expect to get the job. I hadn't even been shortlisted first time round but, happily, they re-advertised.

"Seeing the College thrive is another highlight, for example our roll has increased by 150 since 2002.

"The academic, sporting and extra-curricular reputation of the college is even stronger than it was. We have a very strong family atmosphere at the college, based on mutual respect between staff and students."

The school has produced a number of influential people.

Simon said: "Among our staff is Simon Mason, the head of rugby and former Ireland and Ulster fullback. He's an old boy and so it's great having him back at the college.

"A near neighbour in his youth was renowned British Lion and England fullback Austin Healey, but Anselmians have made their mark in many other areas of life.

"Other distinguished old boys include Louis Browne KC, the barrister who is now a governor of the college and Patrick White, my first headboy who worked for 10 years as an aid to the then MP for Birkenhead, Frank Field.

"One of the great pleasures of my job has been getting to know Mark Palios, owner of Tranmere Rovers, who's also an old boy of the college and a generous supporter.

"Most recently, Tranmere provided us with a dozen team kits for us to take with us to Sierra Leone for our partnership schools there, which is much appreciated, and has spoken at many old boys events.

"I actually saw Mark play when I was a student at the student at the College."

Looking to retirement, the father-of-two daughters in their 20s, said: "I'm looking forward to the next stage of my life and am lucky to have the opportunity to pursue some interests.

"I'm also keen to spend more time with my wife Sheila and we'd like to do more travelling. We'd actually like to go on a cheap, off-peak holiday, perhaps a cruise and I'm very keen to improve my golf.

"I also enjoy playing tennis in the summer and would like to do that without having my schedule interrupted by parents evenings and open evenings and the like."

Looking back on his time at St Anselm's, he concluded: "It's been a tremendous experience and I relish the responsibility.

"I felt I had reached the stage in my career where I was sufficiently experienced and ambitious to take on some extra responsibility.

"I knew it would be hard work, it has been hard work and very time-consuming, but it has also been very rewarding."