What can we say collectively about David Owen on the eve of his retirement as headteacher of Allonby Primary School?


Well, it’s hard to know where to start! He studied at Liverpool University from 1977-1981, from where he graduated with a 2:1 in business studies.

He then went into store management with Debenhams, before entering teaching in 1994.
He started at Belah School in Carlisle, which has now been demolished, moving on to Broughton Moor, where he taught KS2 for about four years.

He then did sports development work around the county – his first love – based at Mayfield.
Mr Owen started teaching KS2 at Allonby and, after becoming head, moved into KS1.
Thank you for the laughs, the joy, the knowledge, the encouragement and, we suppose, the homework!

(Image: David Owen)

Thank you for believing in every single child that walks through these doors and encouraging them to be the best they can be.
Thank you for being Jesus, Elvis and The Caveman (if you know, you know).

Thank you for being a good sport and letting the children rope you into almost anything. Thank you for sharing your interests with the staff, thank you for everything!
As a headmaster, you have gone through the unthinkable when you had to go through the deaths of not one but two beautiful children at your school.

You went above and beyond as a head and ensured that both families were cared for in every way you could.

We know that because of the relationship you built with these families, they will continue to work closely with our school, even when you’re gone.
Your commitment to the school has not gone unnoticed – we were beginning to think you had moved in at one point!

You’ve worked all hours, morning and night, to ensure the children had the best lessons and experiences in school.

We don’t know a lot of headteachers who would be prepared to sacrifice so much of their personal time to school.
The children will no doubt miss your ability to recall the year and artist of any song they threw at you – even Shakira!
You will leave a massive hole in everybody’s hearts here in Allonby School and we all wish you the very best in life as you near your completion date and set off on your new chapter.

You will always be welcome here, Mr Owen, don’t be afraid to visit us if you are in the area!