THERE are not many things that people would endure a daily three-hour round commute for.

But for seven years St Gregory the Great Catholic School’s executive principal John Hussey – who is retring this week – has done exactly that.

The 57-year-old said: “I am very sad to be leaving, it will be a real wrenching moment moving away from a job that I have absolutely loved as well as the children and my colleagues.

“Although I do commute every day from Birmingham so I will be looking forward to not spending my time sat in the car park which is the M40.”

Our top stories

During his time with the school, in Cricket Road, Oxford, Mr Hussey led a major expansion and, in September 2013, it became the first in the county to accept children aged from four to 18.

The headteacher already had a wealth of primary school experience, having been executive head at St John Fisher Primary School, in Littlemore.

He has also served as executive headteacher of the six Catholic primary schools in the Dominic Barberi Multi-Academy Company, of which St Gregory the Great is a part.

Speaking of his time there, the retiring principal said: “The school is at an interesting time in its development.

“I have put major investment into the last seven years and it is now time for me to leave.

“Since joining the school we have moved significantly in terms of buildings with the introduction of the primary and foundation children – and the nursery start up in January. I was also delighted with the Ofsted rating of good three years ago which we worked really hard for.”

Back in 2008, the school was highlighted as failing and was given National Challenge status, meaning it had to get at least 30 per cent of pupils achieving five A* to C, including English and maths, or face closure.

But the school turned its fortunes around.

In 2011 watchdog Ofsted rated it good with outstanding features, and 44 per centy of children were reaching the exams benchmark.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail at the time, Mr Hussey said: “I put that down to teamwork, high expectations and high aspirations and being clear about what we wanted to do.”

The Dominic Barberi Multi Academy Company works with seven Catholic academies in South Oxfordshire helping to support Catholic education in the county.

Mr Hussey will continue working with the Dominic Barberi Multi Academy Company as a director.

He will be succeeded at the school by Dr Marcella McCarthy, who already works at the school.

Mr Hussey added: “My colleague taking over is going to take the school to the next level, I have no doubt about it.”

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.