Ormiston Academies Trust is paying tribute to Eric Winstone, a dedicated education leader who is set to retire from his final education-related post this summer following decades of supporting schools across the Peterborough area as a teacher, Headteacher, Executive Principal, a Chair of Governors and a member of various regional school associations and boards.
His retirement marks the end of an exceptional career spanning more than 50 years, during which he has made a lasting impact on generations of children, young people, staff and families.
Having served as a teacher for many years prior, Eric became Headteacher of Bushfield Community College in 2001 and led the school through a period of significant development until 2014, including overseeing its transition into Ormiston in 2009. He then continued to support the school as Executive Principal, mentoring and developing future school leaders, including both of his deputy principals at Bushfield who went on to become principals themselves.
Educating young people is a lifelong journey and I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to make a difference.
Eric Winstone
Due to his strong commitment to sport and the arts, Eric helped Bushfield achieve Specialist College and Centre of Excellence statuses in both areas during his tenure. He also played a pivotal role in securing the academy’s current state-of-the-art building through the Building Schools for the Future programme. The move to the new site in 2012 helped support wider regeneration across the Orton community and surrounding area.
Alongside his school leadership roles, Eric made a significant contribution to education across the region. He served as Chair of the Peterborough Secondary Headteachers’ Association and played an influential role on the Local Authority’s Children’s Services Board, helping to shape educational priorities and strengthen collaboration between schools and local partners.
Following his retirement from school leadership, Eric continued to support young people through governance. He has served as Chair of Governors at Ormiston Meadows Academy since 2018, having previously chaired the academy’s Governing Body from 2014. Throughout this time, he has acted as a key link between the city’s schools and council, working closely with academy leaders to support school improvement and champion the best possible outcomes for pupils, staff and the wider community.
As Eric prepares to attend his final governing body meeting at Ormiston Meadows next month, colleagues across Ormiston Academies Trust wish to express their gratitude for his exceptional contribution to education and wish him a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.
Eric Winstone said:
“In over 50 years of being involved in education, I have never once regretted my decision to enter this profession. Starting out as a PE teacher in 1974 and ending my career as Executive Principal was a wonderful journey which enabled me to work with some wonderful teachers, leaders, support staff and governors.
“In my time, I have had the pleasure of working at some excellent schools and have had the very best time over the last 15 years as Principal of Bushfield Community School and then Ormiston Bushfield Academy. Building and developing the academy was the highlight of my career and I have seen Ormiston Academies Trust develop and expand to become one of the leading academy trusts in the country. My closing years as Chair of Governors at Ormiston Meadows Academy enabled me to continue to be involved in education and pass on my experience to developing leaders.
“Most of all, I will savour the contact with over 5,000 young people that I have had the pleasure to teach and support through their secondary education over the years. Educating young people is a lifelong journey and I will be forever grateful for having had the opportunity to make a difference.”
Kelly Moore, Principal at Ormiston Meadows Academy, said:
“Eric has given an extraordinary amount to education throughout his career, and we have been incredibly fortunate to benefit from his wisdom, guidance and unwavering support at Ormiston Meadows Academy. His experience, integrity and commitment to young people have made a lasting impact on our community, and we wish him every happiness in his retirement.”
Tom Rees, Chief Executive Officer of Ormiston Academies Trust, said:
“Eric’s contribution to education in Peterborough and beyond has been immense. He has positively influenced the lives of thousands of young people, supported generations of staff and leaders, and played a pioneering role in bringing Bushfield into Ormiston Academies Trust, where it continues to achieve highly. His legacy continues to be felt across our schools today, and we are hugely grateful for everything he has done for our trust and the communities we serve. We wish him the very best in his much-deserved retirement”