Remembering Mrs Margaret Smithers
HEAD TEACHER 1977 - 1986
When Mrs Smithers was appointed Head Teacher in 1977, she was ideally suited to the job in several ways.
Varndean was in the process of converting from a girls’ Grammar School to a mixed Comprehensive High School. A variety of new skills were required to educate a broader range of students. Mrs Smithers possessed these, having already been a Deputy Head at Dorothy Stringer (then a secondary modern school) and Head of Knoll Girls’ School in Hove.
However, she also understood Varndean’s traditions. As Margaret Stonor, she had been a student here herself, serving as School Captain in 1942-3. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she remained in Brighton and described war-time schooling, including having to race to the air raid shelters at the back of the school when the sirens sounded for a day-light raid.
She successfully guided the fortunes of the new mixed comprehensive for 9 years until her retirement, when she passed the baton on to Pam Bowmaker.
RT @VarndeanD: At least it's stopped raining in time for @VarndeanD @VarndeanSchool DofE teams to finish their walk - very wet and tired. h...
Spring Celebration 2019 ''It was clear how much hard work the music team and students must have put in into preparing for the evening. Every performance was amazing and there are so many talented musicians at the school.'' Parent Quote. https://t.co/Bm1F9GgwMI
RT @VarndeanD: All teams safely in camp and cooking their dinner. Long day ahead tomorrow. https://t.co/Idf7jVkTfv