Bourne Westfield Primary pupils and staff say goodbye to retiring Keystone Academy Trust chief executive

The founder of a trust who was once the country’s youngest headteacher is to focus on her family after devoting almost four decades of her life to education.

Pupils and staff in Bourne said goodbye on Friday to Elaine Radley who walked through the school gates for the final time after a career spanning 39 years.

Elaine joined Bourne Westfield Primary as headteacher in 2012 and seven years later became founding chief executive officer of the Keystone Academy Trust.

During her tenure, the trust has grown and now looks after seven academies in the area, 2,300 children and 350 staff.

“When you come to Westfield you just stay because it’s a lovely school,” she said.

“I have a lot of pride in the schools. They are full of fantastic people who always do their best for the children. I know they will go from strength to strength.”

Bourne Westfield pupils all made thank you cards which they presented to Elaine at her leaving assembly on Friday, while the school’s rock band also played.

She started her teaching career in her native Essex and after only four years became head teacher at 25 - the youngest person to hold the role in the country at the time.

Elaine has been head at five schools, but spent a good proportion of her career working as principal advisor for education to local authorities in Essex, Peterborough and East Sussex.

She moved to Lincolnshire around 20 years ago to take the role with the county’s schools improvement service, and, separately, has been a governor at Stamford Endowed Schools.

“For 39 years it was really trying to make sure that whatever the governments threw at us you take that and you make it work for the children and get the best out of it,” she explained.

“The children only get one shot and it’s our job to make sure it’s the best it can be for them, not just academically, but in arts, music and sport.”

She added: “The thing I’m most proud about is investing in people so you see them fly. As a leader it should never be about you - it’s about what you give back to others.

“That has always given me great joy and what I will miss the most whether that’s staff or children.”

There were mixed feelings about retirement for Elaine who lives in Ingoldsby, but now plans to devote her time to her husband and two children, as well as her passion for horses.

“I feel some sadness, but mainly I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family,” she said.

“Throughout my career I have always put work first and now it’s time to give back to them and that’s what made my decision to go now.

“It’s the stance I’ve always taken with staff that family comes first.”