Mr Derek 'Jim' Stockdale

After Sandown, I moved to a Grammar School in Sunderland for three years. Then I lectured in a teachers' training college in London for three years before joining the inspectorate of the Inner London Education Authority. I stayed there until 1990 when the authority was dismantled by Mrs. Thatcher. After a few years of Ofsted work, and when my wife retired from her school, I decided to call it a day. We moved from London to live by the sea once again, in East Sussex.We spend much of our time away,travelling in Europe with our caravan or going to America. We have made some trips to China in the past couple of years as our middle daughter,a doctor, and her family are living there. My wife and I still have very happy memories of our time on the Island. Our eldest daughter was born there.And I have always been grateful that I began my career in education at Sandown Grammar School. It was an excellent school, very well led by Mr. Northover and with some very good colleagues who set high standards for those of us at the beginning of our careers. And I found that the girls and boys were very keen and supportive towards physical education and sport - and most other aspects of school life.My main contact now with Sandown is with George White who taught history. George eventually became a headteacher in North Yorkshire where he and his wife continue to live in retirement, in their eighties. My best wishes to you and other Sandonians.

24th June 2006

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