Head calls it a day after 42 years at the chalkface

Jul 10 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

Head calls it a day after 42 years at the chalkface

HE HAS been dubbed Liverpool’s “Mr Chips”, but the city’s historic Blue Coat School is finally preparing to say goodbye to its longest-serving member of staff.

At the end of this month, headmaster Sandy Tittershill will retire 42 years after he took up his first post at the Wavertree school.

His departure was marked with a standing ovation at Liverpool Town Hall last week during a special dinner to mark the school’s 300th anniversary attended by staff, pupils, old boys and governors.

Mr Tittershill first faced the rudimentary, harsh regime of the then boys-only school as a fresh-faced 22-year-old master in charge of PE.

Admitting he “didn’t much like it” at first, he found himself the youngest among the senior teachers who were set in their ways and didn’t welcome change.

Working and boarding on site, he taught amidst the spartan environment and fitted around the regulated routine of wash and breakfast before 7.30am and teaching duties.

Had it not been for the “inspirational and dynamic” head appointed in 1968, Mr Tittershill said he would never have enjoyed the school so much.