Mr Beard

It is with great sorrow that we announce the very sad news that Mr Beard, our Headteacher passed away on Friday 17 January. This has come as a terrible shock to us all and the school and the GLF Schools Trust community are heartbroken to have lost such a gifted, kind and popular man who has had such a profound impact on the lives of the children and colleagues in all the schools in which he has worked. However, our grief is secondary to Mr Beard’s wife, children, siblings and extended family and to his close friends for whom this loss is immeasurable. We extend our sincere condolences to them and they will remain uppermost in our minds in the forthcoming days and weeks.

We have been privileged to know and work with Mr Beard and in due course we will find ways, in the short and long term, to celebrate his life and to mark his wonderful contribution to our community. We will be opening a book of condolence and we will be providing opportunities for the students to contribute to this at school. If you would like to send a message of condolence to be included, please email it to info@mersthamparkschool.org Anything sent into us by post will, of course, also be included.

Information for parents:

The school will close on Monday 20 January at 11am. However, there will be staff on site for the duration of the school day to supervise and support students who do not have permission to leave the school in the event of an emergency closure. School will open on Tuesday 21 January with a late start, with lessons beginning at 10.50am to allow time for specialist bereavement training for staff. We look forward to seeing students from 10.25am, although there will be supervised space available for any students arriving before this.
The Year 8 parents’ evening due to be held on Thursday 23 January will be postponed and will be rescheduled for later this term.