After 30 years of dedicated service, one of The Blue Coat School's longest-serving members of staff, Mr. George Wilks, who worked as caretaker at the South Ham secondary school since 1996, has retired.

During his time at the school, George worked under six headteachers, witnessed numerous Ofsted inspections and watched thousands of young people pass through the gates before moving on to careers, university and family life.

Over the years, George dealt with everything from burst pipes, icy pathways and blocked drains to stray dogs, cats and foxes on site. He also oversaw significant improvements to the school estate, including the refurbishment of the Winchester and Dartmouth buildings, improvements to the ICT suites and canteen, and the construction of the school's performance studio.

At the unveiling of George’s Garden plaque to mark the occasion, George said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve The Blue Coat School for the past 30 years. I have always taken great pride in looking after the school and helping to make it a safe and welcoming place for everyone. The school has been a huge part of my life, and I have especially enjoyed seeing generations of students grow, succeed and move on to the next chapter of their lives. I will miss the whole school community enormously and will always look back on my time here with great affection.”

Mrs Poulton, Acting Headteacher said: "George was the quiet heartbeat of TBCS for three decades. His dedication, kindness and commitment have touched countless lives, often without seeking recognition. The school simply would not be what it is today without him.”

Mr. Boateng, Acting Headteacher added: "George has been a constant presence at The Blue Coat School for the past 30 years. Generations of students and staff have benefited from his hard work, kindness and dedication. We are enormously grateful for everything he has done and wish him a long, happy and well-deserved retirement."

Reflecting on George's contribution, staff pointed to the words of poet Kahlil Gibran: "Work is love made visible." For 30 years, George Wilks has embodied that sentiment.

While future generations of students may not know his name, they will continue to benefit from the safe, welcoming and well-maintained school environment he helped create.

As The Blue Coat School says goodbye to a cherished colleague, there is one message shared by former and current staff alike:

Thank you, George.