Derbyshire has plenty of well-performing schools, which regularly pass their Ofsted inspections with flying colours and achieve impressive exam results, competing with the best education facilities across the country.
But to reach for the stars, schools need a strong leader at the helm.
We have delved into our archive to have a look back at the cherished headteachers, who inspired generations of pupils across Derbyshire – with some serving for up to four decades.
Have a look at this retro gallery and take a trip down memory lane to your school days.
Can you spot a former schoolmate, or a headteacher that you remember from years gone by?
1. Waingroves Primary School, Ripley
Amarjeet Challand, headteacher at Waingroves Primary School in Ripley is pictured at open day for new out of school club in October 2007. She is pictured with Jake Edwards six, Janet Bryan out of schoolclub leader and Daisy Howson eight. Photo: Brian Eyre
2. Heanor Gate School, Heanor
Heanor gate school, PTfA present cheque for £8000 towards the new school bus in October 2007. Glenn Partridge ptfa sec, Rob Howard headteacher, Morgan Remzi head girl, Lyn Wilson PTFA treasurer, Rupert Brunskill science teacher and driver, Oliver Tunstall head boy. Photo: BRIAN EYRE
3. Henry Bradley Nursery & Infant School, Brimington
Cliff Hadley, headteacher at Henry Bradley Nursery & Infant School retired at the end of 2020, after eight years at the Brimington school. Mr Hadley taught children across the Chesterfield area for almost 40 years, beginning his teaching career at Wingerworth's Deer Park Primary School in 1983, before moving on to Ashover Primary School and later Henry Bradley Nursery & Infant School. Photo: Brian Eyre
4. Bakewell Methodist Junior School, Bakewell
Bakewell Methodist Junior School headteacher Sarah Watson is using the Teachers2Parents software system to communicate with the parents of pupils. She is pictured wirh Georgia Naylor, 10, and Josh Elliott, 10. Photo: Paul Robinson